A Tale of a Lonely Parish

sufficiently explains the change in John's manner, and the difference in his behaviour was plainly apparent even to Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose. The

that he would prolong his holiday to the very last moment, for the country air and the rest he enjoyed were sure to do him so much good. With regard, to the extension of John's visit, the vicar thought differently, although he held his peace. There were many reasons why John should not become attached to Mrs. Goddard both for her sake and his own, and if he staid long, the vicar felt quite sure that he would fall in love with her. She was dangerously pretty, she was much older than John-which in the case of very young men constitutes an add

ould not have lost that opportunity of making her speak of himself, no

and annoyed Mr. Juxon. The latter felt that the boy was in his way; whenever he wanted to see Mrs. Goddard, John was at her side, talking eagerly and contesting his position against the squire with a fierceness which in an older and wiser man would have been in t

and did not dignify the entertainment of her four friends by calling it a dinner. The occasion was none the less hospitable, for she gave both time and thought to her preparations. Especially she had considered the question of precedence; it was doubtful, she thought, whether the squire or the vicar should sit upon her right hand. The squire, as being lord of the manor, represented the powers temporal, the vicar on the other hand represented the church, which on ordinary occasions take

eral and Mrs. Goddard in particular. She, indeed, would not have been a woman at all had she not understood the two men and their intentions. After tea the party congregated round the fire in the little drawing-room, standing in a circle, of which their hostess formed the centre. Mr. Juxon and John, anticipating that Mrs. Goddard must ultimately sit upon one side or other of the fireplace had at first chosen opposite sides, each hoping that she would take the chair nearest to himself. But Mrs. Goddard remained standing an unreasonably lon

on the side opposite the two men. Mr. Juxon crossed rapidly to where she was seated, and Mrs. Ambrose, who had turned with the intention of speaking to the squire, found herself confronted by John. He saw that he had been worsted by his foe and immediately lost his temper; but being brought face to face with Mrs. Ambrose was obliged to control it as he might. That excellent lady beamed upon him with a maternal smile of the kind which is peculiarly irritating to young men. He struggled t

Mrs. Goddard and she herself looked by no means discontented, t

ire was saying. "I have not a single room in t

ed Mrs. Goddard, "do you remember? You frightened me by sa

t I was the most unma

of landlords," added Mrs. G

in his chair. "But I believe I am by nature an exceedingly comfort

lace. I can never thank you enough. I suppose one always f

thern countries never really know what comfort means, because nature never makes th

en a good deal in such

rd, v

ss. "By the bye, talking of travelling, when is our young friend

er New Year'

a very ple

ard, "I hope it will do

ad worked too hard. It is a great mistake to wo

. Goddard with a faint smile, remembering t

you that-well, that he was

companion innocen

e is perpetually getting very angry with no ostensibl

Mrs. Goddard, "h

said the squi

is feelings dreadfully.

ve he is. Only he is inclined to be rather too un

quired Mrs. Goddard, who

" returned the squire bluntly. "You

ur rose to her cheek. "I

ife at Cambridg

s enjoyed so abundantly in Billingsfield. It is not every unde

wise a man to appear to be displeased at Mrs. Goddard's treatment of John. Moreover, he felt that o

make compliments, I w

dd

ntly. "Do you think it is a compliment to tell you that Mr. Short prob

not ex

vanity she knows her own good points much better than any man who attempts to explain them to her; and

never struck me before. I wonder whether that is the reason

d an amusing expression

personal?

coals. Women always delight in knocking a good fire to pieces, out of pure absence of mind. John Short saw the movement and, escaping suddenly f

on't! Let me do it-p

ing her hold upon the poker. But John was obstinate in his determinat

urt me," said Mrs.

said John leaving his hold. "I did not real

ontrition. The squire sat complacently in his chair, watching the little scene. John hated him mo

poker, which John seized with alacrity. "That big coal-there," she

er side poking the fire industriously. "I only wanted to get a chance to talk to y

ndly, but with the least shade of severity in her tone. "You

not give him any further encouragement he was presently obliged to retire, greatly

e as soon as John had rejoined Mrs. Ambrose, who

Juxon rather coolly. She did not want him to laugh at Jo

d. "He is such a nice boy-why shoul

not help being amused a little. I

ity, rose and talked to Mrs. Ambrose. But John, being now in a thoroughly bad humour, could not take his vacant seat with a good grace. He stood aloof and took up a book that lay upon the table and avoided looking at Mrs. Goddard. By and by, wh

e was not quite sure what he should say. He would find words on the spur of the moment; it would at all events be much easier than to meet her on the ice at the Hall with all the rest of them and to see Mr. Juxon pushing her about in that detestable chair, with the unruffled air of superiority which John so hated to see upon his face. The vicar suspected more than ever that there was something wrong; he had seen some of the by-play on the previous evening, and had noticed John's ill

would probably not survive it. He did not know what he should do. He shrank from the thought of declaring his love to her at once. He remembered with pain that she had a terrible way of laughing at him when he grew confidential or too complimentary, and he dreaded lest at the supreme moment of his life he should appear ridiculous in her eyes-he, a mere undergraduate. If he came out at the head of the Tripos it would be different; and yet that seemed so long to wait, especially while Mr. Juxon lived at the Hall and Mrs. Goddard lived at the park gates. Suddenly a thought struck him which filled him with delight; it was just possible that Mr. Juxon had no intention of marrying Mrs. Goddard. If he had any such views he would probably have declared them before now, for he had met her every day during more than half a year. John longed to ask some one the question. Perhaps Mr. Ambrose, who might be supposed to know everything connected with Mrs. Goddard, could tell him. He

in the study, Mr. Ambrose?" h

nd John. There was a low, smouldering fire in the study grate, and John had lit a solitary candle. T

ng of to-day?" asked the vicar cheerfully, i

e cleared his throat, "the fact is, I want

s, and his long, clean-shaved upper lip closed sharply upon its fellow, like a s

trouble at Trinity, J

llege at that moment. "I want to ask you a question, which no one else can answ

shment and laid both hands

mphasising every word of his question. John was prepared to see his

t is likely, si

ave positive reasons to prove the contrary. But, my dear John, why, in the name of all

ot," said John doggedly, se

thing is perfectly absurd, not to say utter

ed John. "I am a grown ma

in horror. "Good prospects! Why, you

nths," objected John. "That is not s

urse of a few years. But you lose it if you marry. Besides-do yo

id John in a ton

o and thirty on her next birthday,

aback, however, by the alarming news of Mrs. Goddard's age. "

. "You won't be able to manage it. If you do,

atter. Mrs. Godda

"To marry a woman ten years older than yourself because she has a little money

f arguing the possibilities of his marriage with his old tutor. But he was an

make my way in the world. You know that it is not for the sake of her money. Many men have mar

u have not known Mrs. Goddard a week-positively not more than five days-why, it is madness! Do you mean to tell m

id John. "That day w

r capabilities should give way to such a boyish fancy! It is absolutely amazing! I thought y

be ashamed of,"

o be afraid of," a

set my mind at rest in assuring me that she will not marry Mr. Juxon. I

t conveyed such a delightful sense of the possibilities of life when at last he should f

nior classic," said the vicar, still fuming with excitement. "But if you put

eft to the tender mercies of the Reverend Augustin Ambrose, it was likely to come to an abrupt termination. When the two r