t of the late gallant major. This request was, however,
somewhat curtly refused.

'Only my laddies and myself see the picture of their blessed father,'
was the reply; and Miss Delacour could not but respect Mrs Constable
all the more for her gentle and yet firm dignity.

Meanwhile the unhappy and lonely George Lennox, hating his
sister-in-law's scheme more and more, wandered away by himself, where
he could think matters over.

'I never _could_ have believed that Cecil would abide tittle-tattle,'
he thought; 'but that woman Agnes would contaminate any one.'

The ladies had now reached Ardshiel. It was, of course, considerably
out of repair, but was even now lovely, with the beauty of fallen
greatness. The majesty of the spacious grounds, the reflection of the
sun on the tragic lake, the fine effect of great mountains in the
distance, were as impressive as ever. It was clear that the walks, the
lawns, the terraces, the beds of neglected flowers, the great
glass-houses, could all soon be put to rights.

Then within that house, where the footsteps of the young bride had
never been heard, were treasures innumerable and furniture which age
could only improve. The Duke had promised, if all turned out
satisfactorily, to hand over the furniture, the magnificent glass and
china, the silver even, and fine linen and napery of all sorts, as his
present to the school; but he insisted on a small rent being paid
yearly for the lovely place, and also demanded that a certain sum be
paid for the restoration of the grounds. Mrs Constable would repair
the grounds, while her brother would surely not refuse to pay the small
rent expected by the Duke for this most noble part of his property.
Miss Delacour hoped that she would establish her friend in the school
without much loss of her own property, but she was willing to add the
necessary school furniture, meaning the beds for the children and the
correct furniture for their rooms, also the downstairs school
furniture, such as desks and so forth. She expected to get them for a
sum equal to what Mrs Constable intended to spend--namely, five hundred
pounds. In this matter she thought herself most generous, and poor
George most mean.

While the ladies were examining the interior of the great house, the
Honourable George Lennox walked through the place alone, taking good
care to keep away from the women. He walked all the time like one in a
dream. It seemed to him as though he saw