pher has just had a new table
put up."

"I never saw a billiard-table yet," said Grace.

"Then Mr. Green shall teach you. He'll do anything that you ask him.
If you don't approve the colour of the ball, he'll go to London to
get you another one. Only you must be very careful about saying that
you like anything before him, as he'll be sure to have it for you the
next day. Mamma happened to say that she wanted a fourpenny postage
stamp, and he walked off to Guestwick to get it for her instantly,
although it was lunchtime."

"He did nothing of the kind, Lily," said her mother. "He was going to
Guestwick, and was very good-natured, and brought me back a
postage-stamp that I wanted."

"Of course he's good-natured, I know that. And there's my cousin
Bernard. He's Captain Dale, you know. But he prefers to be called Mr
Dale, because he has left the army, and has set up as junior squire
of the parish. Uncle Christopher is the real squire; only Bernard
does all the work. And now you know all about us. I'm afraid you'll
find us dull enough,--unless you can take a fancy to Mr. Green."

"Does Mr. Green live here?"

"No; he does not live here. I never heard of his living anywhere. He
was something once, but I don't know what; and I don't think he's
anything now in particular. But he's Bernard's friend, and like most
men, as one sees them, he never has much to do. Does Major Grantly
ever go forth to fight his country's battles?" This last question she
asked in a low whisper, so that the words did not reach her mother.
Grace blushed up to her eyes, however, as she answered,--

"I think that Major Grantly has left the army."

"We shall get her round in a day or two, mamma," said Lily Dale to
her mother that night. "I'm sure it will be the best thing to force
her to talk of her troubles."

"I would not use too much force, my dear."

"Things are better when they're talked about. I'm sure they are. And
it will be good to make her accustomed to speak of Major Grantly.
From what Mary Walker tells me, he certainly means it. And if so, she
should be ready for it when it comes."

"Do not make her ready for what may never come."

"No, mamma; but she is at present such a child that she knows nothing
of her own powers. She should be made to understand that it is
possible that even a Major Grantly may think himself fortunate in
being allowed to love her."

"I should leave all that to Nature, if I were you," said Mrs. Dale.