Everard; 'I saw what he was after.'

'My dear Mrs. Poulter, your supposition is preposterous--forgive me-
-you do not suppose that I am unable to recognise superiority in
birth, in manners, and in intellect. It was better, on this
particular occasion, to conciliate Mrs. Mudge. She is not worthy of
serious opposition. Miss Toller will not sit near you.'

Mrs. Poulter was pacified.

'I am glad to hear this explanation. I had hoped that one might be
forthcoming.'

'I am truly thankful I am worthy of hope, TRULY thankful.'

Mrs. Poulter dropped Palmer's Ecclesiastical History, which she had
begun to read every Sunday afternoon for three months. Mr. Goacher
picked it up, and was about to take Mrs. Poulter's hand, but Miss
Taggart entered and the conversation closed just when it was
becoming interesting.

In a day or two Mrs. Poulter informed Miss Toller that the ladies
and Mr. Goacher had been pleased to express a wish that she should
dine with them on Christmas Day. She consented with becoming
humility, as even Mrs. Poulter confessed, but with many secret
misgivings. She desired to strengthen herself with her lodgers on
whom her living depended, but Helen was more than a servant. She
was her friend, and she could not bear the thought of leaving her in
the kitchen. Helen, too, was passionate and jealous. Miss Toller
therefore ventured to ask Mrs. Poulter whether, as it was Christmas,