and every now and then
threw in a jesting remark; but so encouraging was his manner and so
evident his interest that Mattie found herself talking as she had
never done to any one but Miss Middleton. Before she had finished, Sir
Harry knew all about the household in Lowder Street, and had formed a
tolerable estimate of every member of the family,--the depressed
father; the care-worn and some what stern mother; the boys, clever and
handsome and flippant; the girls in all stages of awkwardness; and the
quiet, talented Grace, who was every one's right hand, and who had
come to the vicarage to dispossess Mattie.

"Come, now, I call that hard; I do, upon my word!" he repeated more
than once at the end of Mattie's little narrative. "Women have a lot
put upon them. I dare say if I had had sisters I should have bullied
them sometimes. Men are awful tyrants, aren't they, Miss Mattie?"

Mattie took this literally.

"I do not think you would be a tyrant, Sir Harry," she returned,
simply, and then wondered why he suddenly colored up to the roots of
his hair.

"Oh, there is no knowing," he replied, in an embarrassed tone. "I have
never had any one to bully. I think I shall try my hand on Dulce, only
she is such a little spit-fire. Well, I must be going," he went on,
straightening himself. "By the bye, I shall not see you again until
Tuesday; I have to run over to Oldfield about a lot of business I have
in hand. Do you know Oldfield?"

"Oh, no; but Nan and Phillis have described it so often that I seem as
though I have been there."

"It is a niceish place, and I am half inclined to settle there myself;
there is a house going that would just suit me."

Mattie's face lengthened: she did not like the idea of losing Sir
Harry, he had been so good-natured and kind to her.

"One would never see you if you live at Oldfield," she said, a little
sorrowfully; and again Sir Harry looked embarrassed.

"Oh, but you will be at Leeds, so it won't make much difference. But I
do not want to be parted from Aunt Catherine and the girls: there is a
great deal to arrange. Perhaps, before you go, I shall be able to tell
you that things are settled. Anyhow, good-bye till Tuesday." And then
he nodded to her in a friendly way, and Mattie returned to her
fireplace refreshed and comforted.

Archie and Grace came in presently, bringing another current of cold
air with them. They both looked bright and happy, as though they had
enjoyed their walk. Gr