But I was able, in spite of Flora's fears. Miss Saville returned with us, looking jealously about her, and seeming to have a certain terror of us, and of encountering her strayed friend. We stopped at the Rectory gate to take leave of her, but she did not seem inclined to leave us then. "I am at leisure this morning--I will walk on with you;" but I could see very well that it was not any particular degree of leisure, but something much more important which made her accompany us. She grew more and more agitated as we approached Cottiswoode--still no one was in sight; but I thought I had caught a glimpse of the Rector himself, telegraphing at a window as we passed, shaking his head and saying "no," and it was not possible to avoid perceiving Miss Saville's anxiety, and her anxious looks around her. At last, as Flora clambered over a low stone fence in search of a plant, which she thought she recognised among the grass, Miss Saville addressed herself to me. "I think it best to mention it, Mrs. Southcote, connected as our families are," she said in an agitated tone, "though being an only child, you can scarcely know what family anxieties are, we have a brother with us--I am sure you have a right to be surprised--but really his state of mind is such that we could not introduce him into society. He has been a gay man in his day--and he has--oh! such a grief, my dear, to William and me!--fallen into ways--well, that we can't approve of. He was bred an attorney--a lawyer, and was in very good practice till he got into misfortune. I am sorry to say poor Richard has not been able to bear misfortune, and he came down here for his health; and we have tried to keep him very quiet, the only thing to do him good--but this morning, you see, he has stolen out, and we can't tell where he is gone. My dear, don't look alarmed--he is not insane. Dear me! how could I imply such a thing--far different from that--he is very clever--but, you know, we don't want him to trouble Mr. Southcote--or--or any one--and when he takes anything into his head he is very firm, and will not be persuaded out of it. He has taken a violent fancy since ever he came of speaking to Mr. Southcote or yourself--and we have done all we could to prevent him--for you know, we don't like to show our family troubles any more than other people--especially as William is a clergyman; but I must tell _you_--hush! here is the young lady coming back--and if you meet my poor brother, Mrs. Southcote, do not be afraid." Miss Saville ended this very long speech, out of breath with hurry and agitation, as Flora reappeared. If he was not a madman, why should I be afraid of him? and madman or not, what could Saville want with me? On my husband, of course, he had the claim of gratitude, and I could not resist my impulse to mention that.