ou are forgetting
your English--it is so long since you were a courier. You knew quite
enough, when I came here, to make me pay more than double the proper
rent for this miserable place, with out a carpet, or--" Just as she
readied thus tar, she was joined by one of the young girls, whose looks
had vastly changed for the better, and was now a strikingly fine and
handsome girl.

"Milly," said the old lady, "take this man round by the kitchen garden,
and get some one to take the fruit from him, and be sure you count the
melons."

Not sorry for the change of companionship, Calvert followed Milly, who,
not condescending to bestow a look on him, moved haughtily on in front.

"Leave your baskets yonder, my good man," said she, pointing to a bench
under a spreading fig-tree; and Calvert, depositing his burden, drew
himself up and removed his hat. "My aunt will pay you," said she,
turning to go away.

"I'd far rather it had been the niece," said he, in English.

"What do you mean? Who are you?"

"A stranger, who, rather than suffer you to incur the privation of a
breakfast without fruit, rowed across the lake this morning to bring
it."

"Won't he go, Milly? What is he bargaining about?" cried Miss Grainger,
coming up.

But the young girl ran hastily towards her, and for some minutes they
spoke in a low tone together.

"I think it an impertinence--yes, an impertinence, Milly--and I mean to
tell him so!" said the old lady, fuming with passion. "Such things are
not done in the world. They are unpardonable liberties. What is your
name, Sir?"

"Calvert, Madam."

"Calvert? Calvert? Not Calvert of Rocksley?" said she, with a sneer.

"No, Ma'am, only his nephew."

"Are you his nephew, really nis nephew?" said she, with a half
incredulity.

"Yes, Madam, I have that very unprofitable honour, if you axe acquainted
with the family, you will recognise their crest;" and he detached a seal
from his watch-chain and handed it to her.

"Quite true, the portcullis and the old motto, 'Ferme en Tombant' I
know, or rather I knew your relatives once, Mr. Calvert;" this was said
with a total change of manner, and a sort of simpering politeness that
sat very ill upon her.

Quick enough to mark this change of manner and profit by it, he said,
somewhat coldly, "Have I heard your name, Madam? Will you permit me to
know it?"

"Miss Grainger, Sir. Miss Adelaide Grainger"--reddening as she spoke.

"Never heard that name before. Will