’And Lily—–?  Victoria would have gone crazy—–­supposing such a thing possible,’ he added, sotto voce.

’Lily was probably crazy already between her sick husband and her bridal daughters, for she answered nothing intelligible.  However, absence gave time for reflection, and Gillian came home after her visits convinced by her own good sense and principle that she had not acted fairly towards us, so that, of her own accord, the first thing she did was to tell me the whole, and how much the sister had always objected.  She was quite willing that I should talk it over with Kalliope before she went near them again, but I have never been able really to do so.’

’Then it was all Greek and—–­“Lilyism!” Lily’s grammar over again, eh!’

’On her side, purely so—–­but I am afraid she did upset the boy’s mind.  He seems to have been bitterly disappointed at what must have appeared like neglect and offence—–­and oh! you know how silly youths can be—–­and he had Southern blood too, poor fellow, and he went mooning and moping about, I am afraid really not attending to his business; and instead of taking advantage of the opening young Stebbing’s absence gave him of showing his abilities, absolutely gave them the advantage against him, by letting them show him up as an idle fellow.’

’Or worse.  Stebbing talked of examining the accounts, to see if there were any deficiency.’

’That can be only for the sake of prejudicing Mr. White—–­they cannot really suspect him.’

’If not, it was very good acting, and Stebbing appears to me just the man to suspect a parson’s pet, and a lady’s—–­as he called this unlucky fellow.’

‘Ask any of the workmen—–­ask Mr. Flight.’

’Well, I wish he had come to the front.  It looks bad for him, and your plea, Jenny, is more like Lily than yourself.’

‘Thank you; I had rather be like Lily than myself.’

‘And you are equally sure that the sister is maligned?’

’Quite sure—–­on good evidence—–­the thing is how to lay it all before Mr. White, for you see these Stebbings evidently want to prevent him from taking to his own kindred—–­you must help me, Rotherwood.’

‘When I am convinced,’ he said.  ’My dear Jenny, I beg your pardon—–­I have an infinite respect for your sagacity, but allow me to observe, though your theory holds together, still it has rather an ancient and fish-like smell.’

’I only ask you to investigate, and make him do so.  Listen to any one who knows, to any one but the Stebbings, and you will find what an admirable girl the sister is, and that the poor boy is perfectly blameless of anything but being forced into a position for which he was never intended, and of all his instincts rebelling.’

They were interrupted by the arrival of the doctor, whom Lady Rotherwood had bound over to come and see whether her husband was the worse for his exertions.  He came in apologising most unnecessarily for his tardiness.  And in the midst of Miss Mohun’s mingled greeting and farewell, she stood still to hear him say that he had been delayed by being called in to that poor woman, Mrs. White, who had had a fit on hearing the policeman inquiring for that young scamp, her son.