"What—really going?" she said, growing quite pale and cold.
"Yes, darling; why are you so disturbed? It is what you wished. I am sorry that it is not expedient to take you."
"Going away," she reiterated; "that means not coming back."
"My dear girl, what are you thinking about?"
"Oh, not you, not you,—but that poor girl, what will she do? If he has reached the point of going away, she will see that it means a parting for ever. Suppose I were in her place, Justin, and you in Mr. Huntington's."
"So this suffering is vicarious; well, you must try to comfort her, and let me suggest that it be not done openly, but in some of the subtle, sweet ways known to your sex. And Mrs. Negus invites you to stay with her while I am gone."
Derrice still remained pale and cold in spite of all her husband could say to comfort her. With a passionate introspection, she comprehended the depths of suffering awaiting the unhappy Chelda.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN LOSES ITS PASTOR.