"How are the children?"
"Worse, I fear; but I have large faith in country air."
"I shall be anxious to know how they bear the ride."
"I will stop on my way home as I must come back with the carriage," said the young clergyman as he went away.
"Was not that Mr. Leslie?" asked Hugh, coming in from the dining-room a few moments afterward.
"Yes," replied Aunt Faith; "he came to see me on business."
"Didn't he ask for Sibyl?" said Hugh.
"No," replied Aunt Faith, with a warning look at her nephew, as Sibyl came in. But Hugh was not to be warned. "Sibyl," he said, "Mr. Leslie has been here and did not ask for you."
"Is that so very surprising?" said his sister coldly; she had regained all her composure and her face was calm and quiet.
"Of course it is surprising," said Hugh bluntly. "He has been in the habit of coming here to see you for months, and, let me tell you, Sibyl, he is one in a thousand; he is a hero, every inch, and I heartily respect and like him."