Then it took as much of artifice as was in the simple woman's nature to keep Daniel from insisting on having Sylvia's company every time he went down to Monkshaven.

And here, again, came a perplexity, the acknowledgement of which in distinct thought would have been an act of disloyalty, according to Bell's conscience.

If Sylvia went with her father, he never drank to excess; and that was a good gain to health at any rate (drinking was hardly a sin against morals in those days, and in that place); so, occasionally, she was allowed to accompany him to Monkshaven as a check upon his folly; for he was too fond and proud of his daughter to disgrace her by any open excess.

But one Sunday afternoon early in November, Philip came up before the time at which he usually paid his visits.

He looked grave and pale; and his aunt began,-- 'Why, lad! what's been ado?
Thou'rt looking as peaked and pined as a Methody preacher after a love-feast, when he's talked hisself to Death's door.