there was any martyrdom in making an altar-cloth. All the conversation during dinner was carried on between the Rector and myself. My husband scarcely spoke; he looked at us eagerly, keenly, as if he would have read my thoughts. I could perceive what was passing in his mind; he had given up the Hester of his imagination, as I had given up the Harry of mine; and he was trying to make himself acquainted with what I was now. When I returned alone to the drawing-room, and once more sat down by the fire, a pang of pain and self-reproach came over me for a moment, as I thought what a great change had indeed passed upon me; and how unlike I was my former self. But then I asked who caused this, and once more established myself on my old ground. When the gentlemen joined me again, I resumed my conversation with the Rector, and now at last he propounded something which suited my views. "There were a number of old people in the village," he said, "some bed-ridden, some palsied, a burden upon their children, and imperfectly attended to in the midst of more clamorous claims. My sister, too, long had the idea of placing herself at the head of a sort of almshouse, where these poor creatures could be nursed and taken care of. My sister is an energetic person, Mrs. Southcote, and though, of course, like other ladies, accustomed to very different pursuits, has a natural love for work, and great tenderness to her fellow-creatures. She thinks, with the assistance of a few kind-hearted ladies, hired help might also be dispensed with--an apostolic work, Mrs. Southcote, washing the feet of the poor." "Ah, yes! that is what I wanted to hear of," I said; "who is your sister, Mr. Saville--is she here?" "I am surprised that Mr. Southcote has not informed you, Madam," said the clergyman, with momentary acrimony; "my sister, Miss Saville, resides with me, and as a near neighbor, naturally looked for an introduction to you--a relation too, I may say, by marriage," he concluded, with a ceremonious bow. I felt my cheeks burn--but I subdued my pride of blood. "I will call on her to-morrow," I said. "Nay, permit me," said Mr. Saville, with another bow. "Miss Saville is the oldest resident in the parish; she will have pleasure in calling on you." Again my natural hauteur almost got the better of me. So! I was to be on ceremonious stately terms with Miss Saville, as though we were potentates of equal rank and importance--and _relatives_, too! "She will have the greatest satisfaction in communicating all her plans to you," continued the clergyman. "Mr. Southcote would have had her come to-night; but my sister was too well aware how indecorous such an intrusion on your privacy would be. Ladies understand the regulations of society much better than we do."