"I have always thought," he began, slowly, "that Gertrude's character required a special line of development." "Father," repeated Charlotte, "consent." Then, at last, Mr.Brand looked at her.

Her father felt her leaning more heavily upon his folded arm than she had ever done before; and this, with a certain sweet faintness in her voice, made him wonder what was the matter.

He looked down at her and saw the encounter of her gaze with the young theologian's; but even this told him nothing, and he continued to be bewildered.

Nevertheless, "I consent," he said at last, "since Mr.
Brand recommends it." "I should like to perform the ceremony very soon," observed Mr.Brand, with a sort of solemn simplicity.
"Come, come, that 's charming!" cried Felix, profanely.
Mr.Wentworth sank into his chair.

"Doubtless, when you understand it," he said, with a certain judicial asperity.
Gertrude went to her sister and led her away, and Felix having passed his arm into Mr.Brand's and stepped out of the long window with him, the old man was left sitting there in unillumined perplexity.
Felix did no work that day.