"Well, it is rather odd, but really nobody seems to hare heard of Rugby, and Trim will have it that it is an imaginary place altogether; but I tell him this is a point on which I must differ from him, as I have actually seen Rugby Well, Rugby, as I was saying, is an extremely picturesque village, almost too picturesque, rising on the brow of a steep hill, with an old church and very quaint parsonage; then there's a splendid torrent, that inundates the place twice a year, but the people are used to it and don't mind it, so it makes no difference, you know."
"But is it not rather unpleasant, Sir?"
"Well, perhaps it is," quietly replied Morton Smalley; then added with a sigh, "but life has greater trials; every one has his or her trial, my dear."
"Yes," I answered, "Miss O'Reilly can't let her house; it is such a pity, is it not?"
"Have her tenants left?" asked Mr. Smalley, a little troubled.
"Miss Russell has given notice; the bill is up, did you not see it?"
"I did not look," he replied in a low tone; then he again said—
"Has Miss Russell left?"
"Her furniture is still there; but she is always at Hastings."
There was a pause; but Mr. Smalley made an effort and asked—