s creature under his care.

"I believe we are quite an Indian party," said Mrs. Burnett, looking
down the table. "Of course my children are Indian by inheritance; then
there are Mr. Kirby and Mr. Errington"--nodding to the dark man next
Lady Alice--"and Colonel Ormonde."

"I am not Indian, you know; I was only quartered in India for a few
years," returned Ormonde, contradictiously.

"And I was only a visitor for one season's tiger-shooting," said
Brereton.

"And I do not want to go," cried Tom Burnett; "I want to be an attache."

"Oh yes; you speak so many languages!" said his younger sister.

"I certainly do not consider myself an old Indian," said the man
addressed as Errington, "though I have visited it more than once."

"You an Indian!" cried Ormonde. "Why, you have just started as an
English country gentleman. We are to have Errington for a comrade on the
bench and in the field down in Clayshire. His father has bought Garston
Hall--quite close to Melford, Lady Alice. But I suppose you know all
about it."

"Yes," said Lady Alice, in a tone which might be affirmation or
interrogation. "There are such pretty walks in Garston Woods!"

"Errington was born with a silver spoon in his mouth," returned Ormonde.
"Garston dwarfs Castleford, I can tell you. It was a good deal out of
repair--the Hall I mean?"

"It is. We do not expect to get it into thorough repair till winter.
Then I hope, Mrs. Burnett, you will honor us by a visit," said
Errington.

"With the greatest pleasure," exclaimed the hostess.

"And oh, Mr. Errington, do give a ball!" cried Fanny, the second
daughter.

"I fear that is beyond my powers. I do not think I ever danced in my
life."

"Are you to be of the party on board Lord Melford's yacht?" asked
Ormonde, speaking to Lady Alice.

"Oh no. I am to stay with Aunt Harriet at the Rectory all the summer."

"Ah, that is too bad. You'd like sailing about, I dare say?"

"Oh, yachting must be the most delightful thing in the world," cried
Mrs. Liddell, from her place opposite. "If I were you I should coax my
father to let me go."

"Papa knows best. I am very fond of the Rectory," said Lady Alice,
blushing at being so publicly addressed.

"And _you_ understand the beauty of obedience," said Errington, with
grave approval.

"Now, if you intend to see the whole 'fun of the fair,'" said Mrs.
Burnett, "you had better be going, young people. The carriage is to come
back for us after setting you