He contrived to have a good deal of conversation with Phœbe in the course of the evening, and she heard from him that old Crabbe was more crusty than ever, and would not hear of his taking his sisters home, but, said he, that mattered the less, considering that now they would be able to be at the parsonage.
‘The parsonage?’
‘What! did you not know the living was in Miss Charlecote’s gift?’
‘Do you mean that she has offered it to Robert?’
‘Yes—no—at least she has told me of her intentions. Highly proper in the old girl, isn’t it? They will settle it to-night, of course. I’ll have the grounds laid out, and make quite a pretty modern place of it. It has quite taken a weight off my mind to know he is so well provided for.’
‘It will make us all very happy; but I think he will be sorry for St. Matthew’s, too.’
‘Oh! parsons think nothing of changes. He can appoint his own successor, and I’ll not let things die away. And now, Phœbe, is there anything you want to do? I will not have Augusta tie you by the leg. I will look out a lady’s horse to-morrow, and come to ride with you; or if you want to do anything, you can have the brougham any day.’
‘Thank you; there is one thing I want very much to do,’ and she explained.
‘Ha!’ said Mervyn, ‘a romantic meeting. If I remember right, Mr. Robin used to be much smitten with that little thing. Don’t reckon too much on the parsonage, Phœbe.’
‘What are we to do if both brothers turn us out?’ smiled Phœbe.