Again Caroline felt fiery and furious, and less inclined than ever to
submit her judgment as she said, "You can inquire, but I know what
Joe thought of him."

"His worthiness is not the point, but whether he can indemnify you."

"His worthiness not the point!" cried Caroline, indignantly. "I
think it all the point."

"You misunderstand me; you totally misunderstand me," exclaimed the
Colonel trying hard to be gentle. "I never meant to recommend an
unworthy man."

"You wanted Vaughan," murmured Mother Carey, but he did not regard
the words, perhaps did not hear them, for he went on: "My brother in
such a case would have taken a reasonable view, and placed the good
of his children before any amiable desire to benefit a-—a-—one
unconnected with him. However," he added, "there is no reason
against writing to him, provided you do not commit yourself."

Caroline hated the word, but endured it, and the rest of the
interview was spent upon some needful signatures, and on the question
of her residence at Kenminster, an outlook which she contemplated as
part of the darkness into which her life seemed to have suddenly
dashed forward. One place would be much the same as another to her,
and she could only hear with indifference about the three houses,
possible, and the rent, garden, and number of rooms.

She was very glad when it was over, and the Colonel, saying he should