Of course she had to retire, and happily for her, Mother Constance
was just at that time sentenced by her rheumatism to spend the winter
in a warm climate. She eagerly claimed Angela's tendance, and just
at the end of the year there came an urgent request for a Sister from
England to form a foundation in one of the new cities of Australia on
the model of St. Faith's; and thither Mother Constance proceeded,
with one Sister and Angela, who had thenceforth gone on so well and
quietly that her family hoped the time for Angela's periodical
breaking out had passed.

The ensuing years had been tranquil as to family events, though the
various troubles and perplexities that fell on Clement were endless,
both those parochial and ritualistic, and those connected with the
Vanderkist affairs, where his sister did not spare him her murmurs.
Fulbert's death in Australia was a blow both to Lancelot and to him,
though they had never had much hope of seeing this brother again. He
had left the proceeds of his sheep-farm between Lancelot, Bernard,
and Angela.

Thus had passed about fourteen years since the death of Felix, when
kind old Mr. Grinstead died suddenly at a public meeting, leaving his
widow well endowed, and the possessor of her pretty home at Brompton.
When, soon after the blow, her sisters took her to the home at Vale
Leston, she had seemed oppressed by the full tide of young life
overflowing there, and as if she again felt the full force of the
early sorrow in the loss that she had once said made Vale Leston to
her a desolation. On her return to Brompton, she had still been in a
passive state, as though the taste of life had gone from her, and
there was nothing to call forth her interest or energy. The first