manner, and he did not think Felix's absence accounted for; he did seem steady-but-And there was something unnatural in the way of life at St. Matthew's, that would make him never trust a lad from thence.
Yes; and even Mr. Bevan did not like St. Matthew's (because it was not slack or easy), and he too could believe anything of Clement. No doubt poor Felix found those great brothers getting too much for him.
Mr. Audley was standing by the window. He saw Fulbert with Lance and little Bernard going down the street, and by one of the sudden dashes that had often puzzled the Rectory, he flew out at the door, and the next moment had his hand on Fulbert's shoulder.
'Fulbert, they have made a terrible scandal of this affair at Marshlands Hall. They fancy Felix had something to do with it.'
'Felix! I should like to punch their heads.'
'You can do better. You can contradict it.'
'But, Sir-'
However, Fulbert, while still following to plead with Mr. Audley, found himself where he never recollected to have been in his life before, among the cushions, arm-chairs, and tables covered with knick-knacks, of the Rectory drawing-room. Mr. Bevan in an easy- chair; Mr. Smith standing before the fire; Lady Price at work, looking supercilious; and her daughter writing notes at a davenport.
Mr. Bevan half rose and held out his hand, the others contented themselves with a nod, while the big, stout lad stood rather like a great dog under the same circumstances, very angry with everybody, and chiefly with Mr. Audley-to whom, nevertheless, he trusted for getting him safe out again.
'Fulbert,' said Mr. Audley, 'Mr. Bevan would be better satisfied if he could hear what intimacy there has been between your brothers and the Collises.'
'None at all,' said Fulbert, bluntly.
'My boy,' said the gentle Rector, deprecatingly, 'nobody ever suspected your eldest brother.'
'I should think not!' exclaimed Fulbert, with angry eyes. 'All he ever did was to warn us against going. More fools not to mind him!'
'Then,' said my Lady, 'it has been the insubordination and wilfulness of you younger boys that has nearly involved him in so grave an imputation.'
'Of nobody's but mine,' returned Fulbert. 'The others would have nothing to do with it.'
'That cannot be the literal fact,' said Mr. Smith, in a low voice, to Lady Price. 'There were certainly two of them.'
Fulbert heard, and turning to the Rector, as if he thought every one else beneath his notice, said, 'The long and short of it is this: Lance and I picked young Collis out of a ditch, and took him home. Then Captain Collis asked us rabbit-shooting. Lance never went again, because Felix did not choose it. I did; and, just by way of a joke, I took Clement there without his knowing what place it was. We fell in with them skating, and went into the house, the day before yesterday. That is,' said Fulbert, concluding as he had begun, 'the long and short of it. Whatever happened was my fault, and no one else's.'
'A very honest confession!' said kind Mr. Bevan, pleased to have something to praise.
'And I hope it will act as a warning,' said Lady Price.
'But,' said Mr. Smith, partly incited by Carry's looks, 'it was true that you-two of you were brought home by young Jackman.'
'Yes,' said Fulbert, growing crimson, 'he drove Clement and me home!'
'And,' said Mr. Audley, 'it was Clement's great distress that kept Felix at home the next morning.'
'Yes,' said Fulbert, 'there was nobody else but me, and Clem could hardly bear the sight of me, because I had led him into it. We thought no one in the house would know it-and I don't believe they do.'
'Ah!' said Lady Price, 'it is false kindness to attempt concealment.'
'From lawful authority it is,' said Mr. Audley; 'but in this case it was only from children and servants. However, Fulbert, I think you have fully satisfied Mr. Bevan as to the amount of intercourse between your brothers and Marshlands.'
'Entirely,' said Mr. Bevan, 'in fact, you may assure your brother that I never believed anything to his discredit.'
'I shall say nothing about it, said Fulbert, not choosing to see the hand held out to him. 'I should be ashamed!-May I go now, Sir?' to Mr. Audley; and with an odd sort of circular bow, he made his escape, and Mr. Audley, having remained long enough to ascertain that the worst that could be said of him was that he was a cub, and that it was a terrible thing to see so many great hulking lads growing up under no control, took his leave, and presently came on the three boys again, consulting at the ironmonger's window over the knife on which Bernard was to spend a half-crown that Mrs. Froggatt had given him.
'Can Lance and Bernard settle that? I want you a moment, Fulbert. Not to confront the Rectory again,' he added, smiling. 'It was a horrid bore for you, but there was no helping it.'
'I suppose not,' said Fulbert, gloomily, as if he did not forgive the unpleasant moments.
'It was not about that I wanted to speak to you, though,' said Mr. Audley. 'I wanted to know whether you have any plans or wishes for the future.'
'I?' said Fulbert, looking up blank.
'Yes, you. You are growing up, Fulbert.'
'I suppose I must take what I can get,' said Fulbert, in the same sulky, passive voice.
'That may be a wise determination, but have you really no choice?'
'Well, when I was a little chap, and knew no better, I used to think I would be a soldier or a farmer-but that's all nonsense; and I suppose I must have some abominable little clerkship,' said Fulbert, with a certain steadiness for all the growl of his tone.
'Well, Fulbert, have you a mind to try whether the other side of the world would suit you better?'
Fulbert looked up. 'You don't mean that you would take me out?'
'Yes, I do, if you are inclined to come and try for work at Albertstown.'
Fulbert, instead of answering, quickened his pace to a walking run, dashed on, nearly upsetting half a dozen people, and was only checked by a collision with a perambulator. Then he stood still till Mr. Audley came up to him, and then again muttered under his breath, 'Go out to Albertstown!'
They walked on a little way, and then the boy said, 'Say it again, please.'
Mr. Audley did say it again, in more detail; and Fulbert this time exclaimed, 'It is the very thing! Thank you, Mr. Audley;' and his face clearing into a frank, open look, he added, 'I'll try to do my best there. I wonder I never thought of it before. I would have worked my way out as a cabin boy if I had. Where is Lance? Does Felix know?'
There was no sentiment about Fulbert. He jumped at the offer as instinctively as a young swallow would prepare to migrate, seemed to brighten all over, and shake off his dull, defiant mood, and gave no sign of feeling about brother or sister-except that he said he believed Felix would get on better without him; and that he told Lance that they would have splendid fun together when he was big enough to come out and ride a buck- jumper.
CHAPTER XIII. PEGASUS IN HARNESS
'Fear not on that rugged highway
Life may want its lawful zest,
Sunny glens are on the mountain,
Where the weary heart may rest.'
CHARLES GAVAN DUFFY.
There was much relief and comfort in that visit of Mr. Audley's. For one thing, Geraldine was able to pour out all her troubles, as she had been used to do ever since her father had left her in his charge -her repentance for the stirrings of her naturally fretful, plaintive temper, for her fits of impatience and her hard judgments, and, what surprised him chiefly, for jealousy.
'Yes,' she repeated, at his word of surprise, 'I am jealous!'
'Indeed!'
'I never knew it till the choral festival. I used to be very fond of her, but-I'm sure it is jealousy; I don't like to
