'That misses fire, Miss Durant; my nation does everything by the
soul, nothing by mechanism.'
'When they _do_ do it.'
'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.'
'Ah! how stupid in me! I am very sorry. I beg your pardon,' and he
hurried off, looking as if very sorry were not a mere matter of
course.
'Poor man,' thought Albinia, 'I dare say he has reckoned on it all
this time, and hunted out St.
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