ss we except poor
little Elinor, and she, in some ways, has the sweetest face of the
bunch; they are sure to find husbands by-and-by, and the younger lads
can fend for themselves in the colonies if necessary. You needn't fret
about the children, mother," he would add.

"I never fret about them," replied the soft-voiced, placid-looking
mother, raising her dove-like blue eyes to her husband's face. "I think
we are the happiest family in the world, and the children are the
dearest creatures. With all their high spirits they are never really
naughty. I have only one care," she added, looking at her husband
affectionately and slipping her hand through his arm, "and that is when
you talk of the possibility of selling the Towers."

"Well, Lucy, that hasn't come yet," he answered.

"What about that mortgage and the suretyship?"

"Oh, pooh! They are right enough yet. I make it a rule never to think of
evil days before they really come. We'll pull through--we'll pull
through, no fear. By the way, my dear, I had a splendid offer yesterday
for the colts Joe and Robin. I closed with it in double quick time, and
the dealer who has bought them will send over to fetch them this
morning."

"Very well," said Mrs. Lorrimer. She went to the window of the room
where the two were talking and stood there looking out.

She gazed on a lovely scene, composed of woodland, river, and gently
sloping meadows and lawns. Exactly opposite her eyes was a paddock, and
in the paddock the two colts which had just been sold were contentedly
grazing. As Mrs. Lorrimer stood and looked out, a girl was seen to enter
the paddock and go swiftly up to the colts, calling their names as she
did so. They both came to her immediately. She threw an arm round the
neck of one, while she fed them in turn with carrots and apples which
she had in her apron. She was a slightly-made girl, with dark hair and a
sallow face. Her hair hung heavily about her shoulders. She might have
been ten years old, but looked younger.

"There's Nell," said the mother. "I am sorry the colts are going, she
has always made such pets of them. I never saw her take to any
creatures before as she has done to those two, and they'll follow her
anywhere like lambs. I'm sorry you've got to sell them, Guy."

"Sorry!" retorted the Squire, with a sort of snort. "Didn't I tell you,
Lucy, that Simmons has given me a cheque for three hundred and fifty
pounds for the two. Of course, the creatures are