this mode of feeling was changed, until it became the sense of ever-deepening sympathy which so possessed him this evening.  Little by little Jane’s happiness justified itself to him, and in so doing began subtly to modify his own temper.  With wonder he recognised that the poor little serf of former days had been meant by nature for one of the most joyous among children.  What must that heart have suffered, so scorned and trampled upon!  But now that the days of misery were over, behold nature having its way after all.  If the thousands are never rescued from oppression, if they perish abortive in their wretchedness, is that a reason for refusing to rejoice with the one whom fate has blest?  Sidney knew too much of Jane by this time to judge her shallow-hearted.  This instinct of gladness had a very different significance from the animal vitality which prompted the constant laughter of Bessie Byass; it was but one manifestation of a moral force which made itself nobly felt in many another way.  In himself Sidney was experiencing its pure effects, and it was owing to his conviction of Jane’s power for good that he had made her acquainted with Bob Hewett’s wife.  Snowdon warmly approved of this; the suggestion led him to speak expressly of Jane, a thing he very seldom did, and to utter a strong wish that she should begin to concern herself with the sorrows she might in some measure relieve.

Sidney joined in the laughter he had excited by picturing himself the parson of the parish.  But the topic under discussion was a serious one, and Jane speedily recovered her gravity.

‘Yes, I see how hard it is,’ she said.  ’But it’s a cruel thing for him to neglect poor Pennyloaf as he does.  She never gave him any cause.’

‘Not knowingly, I quite believe,’ replied Kirkwood.  ’But what a miserable home it is!’

‘Yes.’  Jane shook her head.  ’She doesn’t seem to know how to keep things in order.  She doesn’t seem even to understand me when I try to show her how it might be different.’

’There’s the root of the trouble, Jane.  What chance had Pennyloaf of ever learning how to keep a decent home, and bring up her children properly?  How was she brought up?  The wonder is that there’s so much downright good in her; I feel the same wonder about people every day.  Suppose Pennyloaf behaved as badly as her mother does, who on earth would have the right to blame her?  But we can’t expect miracles; so long as she lives decently, it’s the most that can be looked for.  And there you are; that isn’t enough to keep a fellow like Bob Hewett in order.  I doubt whether any wife would manage it, but as for poor Pennyloaf—­’

‘I shall speak to him myself,’ said Jane quietly.

’Do!  There’s much more hope in that than in anything I could say.  Bob isn’t a bad fellow; the worst thing I know of him is his conceit.  He’s good-looking, and he’s clever in all sorts of ways, and unfortunately he can’t think of anything but his own merits.  Of course he’d no business to marry at all whilst he was nothing but a boy.’