‘That’s a defiance. You must deprive the conductor of the moral influence, whether as man or machine, and entrust the parcel to me.’
‘That would be like chartering a steamer to send home a Chinese puzzle.’
‘No, indeed; I must go to Hadminster. Bear me witness, Sophy, Miss Goldsmith wants me to talk to the house agent.’
‘Mind, if you miss St. Leocadia’s day, you will miss my aunt’s fete.’
Mr. O’More succeeded in carrying off the little parcel. The next morning, as the ladies were descending the hill, a hurried step came after them, and the curate said in an abrupt rapid manner, ‘I beg your pardon, I was going to Hadminster; could I do anything for you?’
‘Nothing, thank you,’ said Albinia, at whom he looked.
‘Did I not hear—Miss Durant had some work to send her aunt to-day?’
‘How did you know that, Mr. Hope?’ exclaimed Genevieve.
‘I heard something pass, when some one was admiring your work,’ he said, not looking at her. ‘And this—I think—is St. Leocadia’s day.’
‘I am very much obliged to you for remembering it, but I have sent my little parcel otherwise, so I need not trouble you.’