“Mrs. Honeychurch,” he said, “go to Greece she must. Come up to the house and let's talk it over. Do you, in the first place, mind her breaking with Vyse?”

“Mr. Beebe, I'm thankful — simply thankful.”

“So am I,” said Freddy.

“Good. Now come up to the house.”

They conferred in the dining-room for half an hour.

Lucy would never have carried the Greek scheme alone. It was expensive and dramatic — both qualities that her mother loathed. Nor would Charlotte have succeeded. The honours of the day rested with Mr. Beebe. By his tact and common sense, and by his influence as a clergyman — for a clergyman who was not a fool influenced Mrs. Honeychurch greatly —