that she was taking so lightly now what had caused her such deep emotion yesterday.
"I daresay, then," said Harold, "you are more fully possessed of particulars than I am. So that my mother and I need only tell you what no one else can tell you — that is, what are her and my feelings and wishes under these new and unexpected circumstances."
"I am most anxious," said Esther, with a grave beautiful look of respect to Mrs Transome — "most anxious on that point. Indeed, being of course in uncertainty about it, I have not yet known whether I could rejoice." Mrs Transome's glance had softened. She liked Esther to look at her.
"Our chief anxiety," she said, knowing what Harold wished her to say, "is that there may be no contest, no useless expenditure of money. Of course we will surrender what can be rightfully claimed."
"My mother expresses our feeling precisely, Miss Lyon," said Harold. "And I'm sure, Mr Lyon, you will understand our desire."
"Assuredly, sir. My daughter would in any case have had my advice to seek a conclusion which would involve no strife. We endeavour, sir, in our body, to hold to the apostolic rule that one Chris-
