Mrs Rolph drew herself up, and her eyes flashed, but the fire was drowned out directly by the tears of trouble and vexation, and the woman prevailed over the mistress directly after, as she said, in quite an altered tone,-- "Hayle, my good man, what is to be done?" "Hah!" ejaculated the keeper; "now, ma'am, you are talking like a sensible woman, and we may be able to do business." "Yes, yes, Hayle, I was angry. I could not help it. All this comes nigh to breaking my heart. It is, of course, quite impossible. What do you propose to do?" "Forget it, ma'am, if I can." "And Judith?" "Hah! That's another thing, ma'am." "But she surely is not so vain as to--to--" "My Judith is a woman, ma'am. Is that vanity?" "Yes, of course. No, no, Hayle. But, once more: it is impossible." "Yes, ma'am." "Ah, that's very good and sensible of you. Now, look here. I have thought it all over as I came, and I am sorry to say what I have decided upon seems to be the best plan. It will grieve me terribly, but there's no help for it. You and Judith must go away. You will agree to this, Hayle?" "You mean, ma'am, that we old people are to settle the matter as to what is best for the young folks?" "Yes, yes, that is right." "And what will the young folks say?" Mrs Rolph hesitated for a moment or two. "We cannot stop to consult them, my good man, when we are working for their good. Now, look here, Hayle; of course it will put you to a good deal of inconvenience, for which I am sorry, and to meet that difficulty I went back to my room and wrote this." She took a cheque from her little reticule. "It is for fifty pounds, Hayle; it will cover all your expenses till you obtain another appointment. Why, Benjamin Hayle, how long have you been in our service?" "A many years, ma'am," said the keeper gravely; and then he read the cheque over as Mrs Rolph placed it in his hands. "Ah! `Pay to Benjamin Hayle or bearer, fifty pounds.--Constantia Rolph.' A good deal of money, ma'am. And now, I think I'll call Judith down." "Yes--yes, do. I must say a few words to her. Poor girl, I wish her well." "Thank you, ma'am," said the keeper quietly. "Yes: it is not all her fault." "Judith--Judith, my girl," said the keeper, opening the door at the foot of the stairs. "Come down." There was the quick rustling of a dress, and Judith came down, red-eyed, pale and wild-looking, to lay her hand on her father's arm. "Ah, Judith, my dear," began Mrs Rolph, hastily. "Your father and I have been discussing this unhappy affair, and, sorry as we are, we feel obliged to come to the conclusion--the same conclusion that you will, as a good, sensible girl, when you have well thought it out--that this silly flirtation cannot go on. It is for your sake as well as my son's that I speak." Hayle felt his child's hand tremble on his arm.