The answer from Mr. Gradfield stated that he was not in want of a pupil who would serve the remainder of his time on the terms Mr. Graye mentioned.  But he would just add one remark.  He chanced to be in want of some young man in his office—­for a short time only, probably about two months—­to trace drawings, and attend to other subsidiary work of the kind.  If Mr. Graye did not object to occupy such an inferior position as these duties would entail, and to accept weekly wages which to one with his expectations would be considered merely nominal, the post would give him an opportunity for learning a few more details of the profession.

’It is a beginning, and, above all, an abiding-place, away from the shadow of the cloud which hangs over us here—­I will go,’ said Owen.

Cytherea’s plan for her future, an intensely simple one, owing to the even greater narrowness of her resources, was already marked out.  One advantage had accrued to her through her mother’s possession of a fair share of personal property, and perhaps only one.  She had been carefully educated.  Upon this consideration her plan was based.  She was to take up her abode in her brother’s lodging at Budmouth, when she would immediately advertise for a situation as governess, having obtained the consent of a lawyer at Aldbrickham who was winding up her father’s affairs, and who knew the history of her position, to allow himself to be referred to in the matter of her past life and respectability.

Early one morning they departed from their native town, leaving behind them scarcely a trace of their footsteps.

Then the town pitied their want of wisdom in taking such a step.  ’Rashness; they would have made a better income in Hocbridge, where they are known!  There is no doubt that they would.’

But what is Wisdom really?  A steady handling of any means to bring about any end necessary to happiness.

Yet whether one’s end be the usual end—­a wealthy position in life —­or no, the name of wisdom is seldom applied but to the means to that usual end.

II.  THE EVENTS OF A FORTNIGHT

1.  The ninth of July

The day of their departure was one of the most glowing that the climax of a long series of summer heats could evolve.  The wide expanse of landscape quivered up and down like the flame of a taper, as they steamed along through the midst of it.  Placid flocks of sheep reclining under trees a little way off appeared of a pale blue colour.  Clover fields were livid with the brightness of the sun upon their deep red flowers.  All waggons and carts were moved to the shade by their careful owners, rain-water butts fell to pieces; well-buckets were lowered inside the covers of the well-hole, to preserve them from the fate of the butts, and generally, water seemed scarcer in the country than the beer and cider of the peasantry who toiled or idled there.