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for months past； and taking the keenest interest in every
arrangement。
Dr。 Spencer； whose bright eyes glittered at every mention of the
subject； assumed that he was to be the architect； while Dr。 May was
assuring him that it was a maxim that no one unpaid could be trusted；
and when he talked of beautiful German churches with pierced spires；
declared that the building must not make too large a hole in the
twenty thousand； at the expense of future curates； because Richard
was the first。
〃I'll be prudent； Dick；〃 said Dr。 Spencer。 〃Trust me not to rival
the minster。〃
〃We shall find work next for you there；〃 said Mr。 Wilmot。
〃Ay； we shall have May out of his family packing…box before many
years are over his head。〃
〃Don't mention it；〃 said Dr。 May； 〃I know what I exposed myself to in
bringing Wilmot here。〃
〃Yes；〃 said Dr。 Spencer； 〃we shall put you in the van when we attack
the Corporation pen。〃
〃I shall hold by the good old cause。 As if the galleries had not
been there before you were born！〃
〃As if poor people had a right to sit in their own church！〃 said
Ethel。
〃Sit； you may well say；〃 said Mr。 Wilmot。 〃As if any one could do
otherwise； with those ingenious traps for hindering kneeling。〃
〃Well； well； I know the people must have room；〃 said Dr。 May； cutting
short several further attacks which he saw impending。
〃Yes； you would like to build another blue gallery； blocking up
another window； and with Richard May and Christopher Tomkins；
Churchwardens； on it； in orange…coloured lettersthe Rivers'
colours。 No disrespect to your father； Miss May； but； as a general
observation； it is a property of Town Councillors to be conservative
only where they ought not。〃
〃I brought you here to talk of building a church； not of pulling one
to pieces。〃
Poor Dr。 May； he knew it was inevitable and quite right； but his
affectionate heart and spirit of perpetuity； which had an association
connected with every marble cloud； green baize pew； and square…headed
panel； anticipated tortures in the general sweep； for which his
ecclesiastical taste and sense of propriety would not soon
compensate。
Margaret spared his feelings by bringing the Cocksmoor subject back
again； Dr。 Spencer seemed to comprehend the ardour with which she
pressed it on； as if it were very near her heart that there should be
no delay。 He said he could almost promise her that the first stone
should be laid before the end of the summer； and she thanked him in
her own warm sweet way； hoping that it would be while Hector and
Harry were at home。
Harry soon returned； having gone through the court…martial with the
utmost credit； been patronised by Captain Gordon in an unheard…of
manner； asked to dine with the admiral； and promised to be quickly
afloat again。 Ere many days had passed； he was appointed to one of
the finest vessels in the fleet； commanded by a captain to whom
Captain Gordon had introduced him； and who 〃seemed to have taken a
fancy to him；〃 as he said。 The Bucephalus； now the object of his
pride； was refitting； and his sisters hoped to see a good deal of him
before he should again sail。 Besides； Flora would be at Ryde before
the end of July。
It was singular that Ethel's vision should have been fulfilled
simultaneously with Flora's having obtained a position so far beyond
what could have been anticipated。
She was evidently extremely happy and valuable； much admired and
respected； and with full exercise for the energy and cleverness；
which were never more gratified than by finding scope for action。
Her husband was devotedly attached to her； and was entirely managed
by her； and though her good judgment kept her from appearing visibly
in matters not pertaining to her own sphere； she as； in fact； his
understanding。 She read； listened； and thought for him； imbued him
with her own views； and composed his letters for him； ruling his
affairs； both political and private； and undeniably making him fill a
position which； without her； he would have left vacant； nor was there
any doubt that he was far happier for finding himself of consequence；
and being no longer left a charge upon his own hands。 He seemed
fully to suffice to her as a companion； although she was so far
superior in power； for it was； perhaps； her nature to love best that
which depended upon her； and gave her a sense of exercising
protection； as she had always loved Margaret better than Ethel。
〃Mrs。 Rivers was an admirable woman。〃 So every one felt； and her
youthful beauty and success in the fashionable world made her
qualities； as a wife and mistress of a household； the more
appreciated。 She never set aside her religious habits or principles；
was an active member of various charitable associations； and found
her experience of the Stoneborough Ladies' Committee applicable among
far greater names。 Indeed； Lady Leonora thought dear Flora Rivers's
only fault； her over…strictness； which encouraged Meta in the same；
but there were points that Flora could not have yielded on any
account； without failing in her own eyes。
She made time for everything； and though； between business and
fashion； she seemed to undertake more than mortal could accomplish；
it was all effected； and excellently。 She did； indeed； sigh over the
briefness of the time that she could bestow on her child or on home
correspondence； and declared that she should rejoice in rest； but； at
the same time； her achievements were a positive pleasure to her。
Meta； in the meantime； had been living passively on the most
affectionate terms with her brother and sister； and though often
secretly yearning after the dear old father； whose darling she had
been； and longing for power of usefulness； she took it on trust that
her present lot had been ordered for her； and was thankful； like the
bird of Dr。 May's fable； for the pleasures in her pathculling sweet
morals； and precious thoughts out of book； painting or concert；
occasions for Christian charities in each courtesy of society； and
opportunities for cheerful self…denial and submission； whenever any
little wish was thwarted。
So Norman said she had turned into a fine lady！ It was a sudden and
surprising intimation； and made a change in the usually bright and
calm current of her thoughts。 She was not aware that there had been
any alteration in herself； and it was a revelation that set her to
examine where she had changedpoor little thing！ She was not angry；
she did not resent the charge； she took it for granted that； coming
from such a source； it must be true and reasonableand what did it
mean？ Did they think her too gay； or neglectful of old friends？
What had they been saying to Harry about her？
〃Ah！〃 thought Meta； 〃I understand it。 I am living a life of ease and
uselessness； and with his higher aims and nobler purposes； he shrinks
from the frivolities among which I am cast。 I saw his saddened
countenance among our gaieties； and I know that to deep minds there
is heaviness in the midst of display。 He withdraws from the follies
that have no charms for him； and Iought I to be able to help being
amused？ I don't seek these things； but； perhaps； I ought to avoid
the