He took up his glasses, but his hand shook so that he could hardly read.

The note was from the Parsonage, to Ellinor; only three lines sent by Mr.Ness's servant, who had come to fetch Mr.Corbet's things.

He had written three lines with some consideration for Ellinor, even when he was in his first flush of anger against her father, and it must be confessed of relief at his own freedom, thus brought about by the act of another, and not of his own working out, which partly saved his conscience.

The note ran thus: "DEAR ELLINOR,--Words have passed between your father and me which have obliged me to leave his house, I fear, never to return to it.

I will write more fully to-morrow.