The same moment the rector moved toward the place where the luncheon-tables were, and they all accompanied him, Helen still walking, in a little anxiety, by Juliet's side.

It was some minutes before the color came back to her lips; but when Helen next addressed her, she answered as gently and sweetly as if the silence had been nothing but an ordinary one.
"You will stay and lunch with us, Mr.Faber ?" said the rector.

"There can be no hypocrisy in that--eh ?" "Thank you," returned the doctor heartily; "but my work is waiting me, and we all agree that _must_ be done, whatever our opinions as to the ground of the obligation." "And no man can say you don't do it," rejoined the curate kindly.
"That's one thing we do agree in, as you say: let us hold by it, Faber, and keep as good friends as we can, till we grow better ones." Faber could not quite match the curate in plain speaking: the pupil was not up with his master yet.
"Thank you, Wingfold," he returned, and his voice was not free of emotion, though Juliet alone felt the tremble of the one vibrating thread in it.

"-- Miss Meredith," he went on, turning to her, "I have heard of something that perhaps may suit you: will you allow me to call in the evening, and talk it over with you ?" "Please do," responded Juliet eagerly.

"Come before post-time if you can.