t off the lease, and
rid themselves of the furniture, which seems to be all new. It appears
they have had some money left to them unexpectedly; and now Mrs.
Ibbetson's health is so bad, he wants to try travelling, and thinks it
a great pity to be hampered with a house at present. I should say the
poor little woman is in a bad way, myself."

"Dear me, how sad! And they have been married so short a time,--not
more than six months. She comes of a weakly stock, I fear. I always
said she looked consumptive, poor thing! Dear little Glen Cottage! and
to think it will change hands so soon again!"

"You seem fond of it, Aunt Catherine," for her tone was full of
regret.

"My dear," she answered, seriously, "I always loved that cottage so!
The drawing-room and the garden were just to my taste; and then the
girls were so happy there."

"Would you not like a grander house to live in?" he asked, in the same
indifferent tone. "I do not think it is half good enough for you and
the girls."

Mrs. Challoner opened her eyes rather widely at this: but his voice
gave her no clue to his real meaning, and she thought it was just his
joking way with her.

"It would seem a palace after this!" she returned, with a sigh.
"Somehow, I never cared for great big houses, they are so much expense
to keep up; and when one has not a man in the house----"

"Why, you have me, Aunt Catherine!" speaking up rather briskly.

"Yes, my dear; and you are a great comfort to us all. It is so nice to
have some one to consult; and, though I would not say so to Nan for
the world, Dick is so young that I never could consult him."

"By the bye, that reminds me I must have a look at that young fellow,"
returned her nephew. "Let me see, the Oxford term is over, and he will
be home again. Suppose I run over to Oldfield--it is no distance from
town--and leave my card on Mr. Mayne senior?"

"You, Harry!" And Mrs. Challoner looked quite taken aback at the
proposition.

"Well," he remarked, candidly, "I think it is about time something was
done: Nan looks awfully serious sometimes. What is the good of being
the head of one's family, if one is not to settle an affair like that?
I don't feel inclined to put up with any more nonsense in that
quarter, I can tell you that, Aunt Catherine."

"But, Harry,"--growing visibly alarmed,--"you do not know Mr. Mayne:
he can make himself so excessively disagreeable."

"So can most men when they like."

"Yes; but not exactly