"Ferdy said something about this," said Clarice. "Well, then, Prudence, you leave everything to me. I'll speak to Anthony. He is very clever and will be able to help me. Don't worry, and--hush! Your father." Clarke entered the room with a wild look, hurriedly, and frowned when he saw the two girls together. "I thought you had gone, Clarice," he said, fretfully. "I wish you would go. Prudence has much to do." "I am going," said Clarice, pressing the girl's arm, so as to make her humour the excited man. "I only waited to tell you, Mr. Clarke, that I have seen Mr. Barras, and have assumed the rights of your loan. You will have no further trouble about it." "It is good of you," said Clarke, gloomily, "and a few days ago, I should have hailed your news with joy. But it is now too late. I am an outcast and accursed, and----" "Father! Father!" said Prudence, placing her hand on his arm. He shook it off. "I tell you, girl, we must leave this house, and hide our shameful heads. The Angel of the Lord will pursue me--me, my child, and not you--with a fiery brand." "Mr. Clarke," said Clarice, in a firm way, and fastening her eyes very steadily on the excited face of the poor parson, "you are talking nonsense. Sit down and-----" "No. You shall not direct me in my own house." "It is for your good." Speaking softly, Clarice placed her hand on Clarke's arm, and drew him gently towards the arm chair, with her eyes fixed on his all the time. Prudence watched in awestricken silence, as Miss Baird seemed to be quite mistress of the situation. "Sit down, sit down," whispered Clarice, softly, and when the parson dropped heavily into the chair, she placed a cool hand on his burning brow. "You will sleep now, and wake feeling much better." "I will not sleep," said Clarke, trying to remove his eyes from her as the mesmeric influence was dominating him; "go away----" "Yes, when you sleep. Sleep! Sleep! Sleep!" Clarice's voice took on a kind of sing-song, and she drew her warm, firm hand gently across the man's wrinkled brow. Gradually Clarke's muscles relaxed, and his eyes grew calmer. Then they closed, and he began to breath gently. "Wake up in an hour, feeling perfectly well," commanded Clarice, and then beckoned the astonished Prudence from the room. "I used to do that to Uncle Henry for his headaches," she laughed. CHAPTER XVI A STRANGE COMMUNICATION Having thus quieted the overwrought vicar, Clarice took leave of poor Prudence. However, she left the girl in a much more cheerful frame of mind, as she asserted her belief in Mr. Clarke's innocence, in spite of all appearance to the contrary, and promised every assistance. But when Miss Baird returned home, and thought over what she had learned, it appeared difficult to keep her word.