you believe in it?'

'It is a time when a display of loyalty and national spirit may turn
the scale. I am resolved to let no trifle prevent me from doing my
part,' he said, colouring with enthusiasm.

'You are quite right,' cried Clara. 'You ought to take your vassals,
like a feudal chief! I am sure the defence of one's country ought to
outweigh everything.'

'Exactly so. Our volunteer forces are our strength and glory, and are
a happy meeting of all classes in the common cause. But say nothing,
Clara, or granny will take alarm, and get an edict from Walby against
me.'

'Dear granny! But I wish we were going home to the Terrace.'

'Thank you. How flattering!'

'You would be always in and out, and it would be so much more
comfortable. Is Lord Ormersfield at home?'

'No, he will not come till legislation can bear London no longer.'

'Oh!'--with a sound of great relief.

'You don't know how kind he has been,' said Louis, eagerly. 'You will
find it out when you are in the house with him.'

Clara laughed, but sighed. 'I think we should have had more fun at
home.'

'What! than with me for your host? Try what I can do. Besides, you
overlook Mary.'

'But she has been at school!'

'Well!'

'I didn't bargain for school-girls at home!'

'I should not have classed Mary in that category.'

'Don't ask me to endure any one who has been at school! Oh, Louis! if
you could only guess--if you would only speak to Jem not to send me
back to that place--'

'Aunt Kitty will not consent, I am sure, if you are really unhappy
there, my poor Clara.'

'No! no! I am ordered not to tell granny. It would only vex her, and
Jem says it must be. I don't want her to be vexed, and if I tell you,
I may be able to keep it in!'

Out poured the whole flood of troubles, unequal in magnitude, but most
trying to the high-spirited girl. Formal walks, silent meals, set
manners, perpetual French, were a severe trial, but far worse was the
companionship. Petty vanities, small disputes, fretful jealousies,
insincere tricks, and sentimental secrets, seemed to Clara a great deal
more contemptible than the ignorance, indolence, abrupt manners and
boyish tastes which brought her into constant disgrace--and there
seemed to be one perpetual chafing and contradiction, which made her
miserable. And a further confidence could not help following, though
with a warning that Jem must not hear it, for she did not mind, and he
spent