ttle body he held shuddered closer to
him. "Why does he hate us so? and I lost my temper too--I stamped at him.
But he looks so old--so old! I think he'll die soon."

"That would be happiest," said Tatham, gravely.

"I told him we would never take any money from him again. I must earn
it--I will! Your mother will lend me a little--for my training. I'll pay
it back."

"You poor child!" he murmured.

At that moment they emerged upon the last section of the broad avenue
leading to the house. And the electric light in the pillared porch threw
long rays toward them.

"Please put me down," said Felicia, with decision. "I can walk quite
well."

He obeyed her. But her weakness was still such, that she could only walk
with help. Guiding, supporting her, he half led, half carried her along.

As they reached the lighted porch, she looked up, her face sparkling with
rain, a touch of mischief in her hollow-ringed eyes.

"How much will they scold?"

"Can't say, I am sure! I think you'll have to bear it."

"Never mind!" Her white cheeks dimpled. "It's Duddon! I'd rather be
scolded at Duddon, than petted anywhere else."

Tatham flushed suddenly. So did she. And as the door opened Felicia
walked with composure past the stately butler.

"Is Lady Tatham in the library?"

Netta Melrose, full of fears, wept that evening over her daughter's rash
disobedience. Victoria administered what reproof she could; and Felicia
was reduced to a heated defence of herself, sitting up in bed, with a
pair of hot cheeks and tearful eyes. But when all the lights were out,
and she was alone, she thought no more of any such nips and pricks. The
night was joy around her, and as she sank to sleep; Tatham, in dream,
still held her, still carried her through the darkness and the rain.

XX

While Felicia was making her vain attempt upon her father's pity,
Faversham was sitting immersed in correspondence in his own room at the
farther end of the gallery. He heard nothing of the girl's arrival or
departure. Sound travelled but little through the thick walls of the
Tower, and the gallery, muffled with rich carpets, with hangings and
furniture, deadened both step and voice.

The agent was busy with some typewritten evidence that Melrose was
preparing wherewith to fight the Government officials now being sent down
from London to inquire into the state of some portion of the property.
The evidence had been collected by Nash, and Faversham read