er because
she was lonely, you know.'

'Then can't I stay at Deansleigh Park with my other mamma and you?'

'I am afraid that cannot be done either,' said he sadly. 'We have a baby
in the house now.' He closed the reply by stooping down and kissing her,
there being a tear in his eye.

'Then nobody wants me!' said Dorothy pathetically.

'Oh yes, somebody wants you,' he assured her. 'Where would you like to
live besides?'

Dorothy's experiences being rather limited, she mentioned the only other
place in the world that she was acquainted with, the cottage of the
villager who had taken care of her before Lady Mottisfont had removed her
to the Manor House.

'Yes; that's where you'll be best off and most independent,' he answered.
'And I'll come to see you, my dear girl, and bring you pretty things; and
perhaps you'll be just as happy there.'

Nevertheless, when the change came, and Dorothy was handed over to the
kind cottage-woman, the poor child missed the luxurious roominess of
Fernell Hall and Deansleigh; and for a long time her little feet, which
had been accustomed to carpets and oak floors, suffered from the cold of
the stone flags on which it was now her lot to live and to play; while
chilblains came upon her fingers with washing at the pump. But thicker
shoes with nails in them somewhat remedied the cold feet, and her
complaints and tears on this and other scores diminished to silence as
she became inured anew to the hardships of the farm-cottage, and she grew
up robust if not handsome. She was never altogether lost sight of by Sir
Ashley, though she was deprived of the systematic education which had
been devised and begun for her by Lady Mottisfont, as well as by her
other mamma, the enthusiastic Countess. The latter soon had other
Dorothys to think of, who occupied her time and affection as fully as
Lady Mottisfont's were occupied by her precious boy. In the course of
time the doubly-desired and doubly-rejected Dorothy married, I believe, a
respectable road-contractor--the same, if I mistake not, who repaired and
improved the old highway running from Wintoncester south-westerly through
the New Forest--and in the heart of this worthy man of business the poor
girl found the nest which had been denied her by her own flesh and blood
of higher degree.

* * * * *

Several of the listeners wished to hear another story from the
sentimental member after this, but he said that he could recall nothing
else