ed from Stornley, the estate of the marquis,
Lady Charlotte's father. Her ladyship's brother was a member of Wilfrid's
Club. "He calls Besworth the most habitable place in the county, and
promises to be there as many months out of the twelve as you like to have
him. I agree with him that Stornley can't hold a candle to it. There are
three residences in England that might be preferred to it, and, of those,
two are ducal."

The letter was a piece of that easy diplomacy which comes from habit. The
"of those, two are ducal," was masterly. It affected the imagination of
Brookfield. "Which two?" And could Besworth be brought to rival them?
Ultimately, it might be! The neighbourhood to London, too, gave it noble
advantages. Rapid relays of guests, and a metropolitan reputation for
country attractions, would distinguish Besworth above most English
houses. A house where all the chief celebrities might be encountered: a
house under suave feminine rule; a house, a home, to a chosen set, and a
refreshing fountain to a widening circle!

"We have a dispute," they wrote playfully to Wilfrid "a dispute we wish
you or Lady Charlotte to settle. I, Arabella, know nothing of trout. I,
Cornelia, know nothing of river-beds. I, Adela, know nothing of
engineering. But, we are persuaded, the latter, that the river running
for a mile through Besworth grounds may be deepened: we are persuaded,
the intermediate, that the attempt will damage the channel: we are
persuaded, the first, that all the fish will go."

In reply, Wilfrid appeared to have taken them in earnest. "I rode over
yesterday with Lady Charlotte," he said. "We think something might be
done, without at all endangering the fish or spoiling the channel. At all
events, the idea of making the mile of broad water serviceable for boats
is too good to give up in a hurry. How about the dining-hall? I told Lady
Charlotte you were sure to insist upon a balcony for musicians. She
laughed. You will like her when you know her."

Thus the ladies of Brookfield were led on to be more serious concerning
Besworth than they had thought of being, and began to feel that their
honour was pledged to purchase this surpassing family seat. In a
household where every want is supplied, and money as a topic utterly
banished, it is not surprising that they should have had imperial views.

Adela was Wilfrid's favoured correspondent. She described to him gaily
the struggle with their papa. "But, if you care for