that I knew, mother. There's Culpepper has not
had a chance yet. He has got to give us his dream--how he 'dreamt
that he dwelt in marble halls!'"

"I sang that an hour ago," said the captain, not over-pleased.

"But you certainly have not told us how 'your little lovers came!'"
The captain, however, would not sing any more. And then the party was
broken up, and the Robartses went home to their parsonage.

CHAPTER XII

The Little Bill

Lucy, during those last fifteen minutes of her sojourn in the Framley
Court drawing-room, somewhat modified the very strong opinion she
had before formed as to her unfitness for such society. It was very
pleasant sitting there in that easy chair, while Lord Lufton stood at
the back of it saying nice, soft, good-natured words to her. She was
sure that in a little time she could feel a true friendship for him,
and that she could do so without any risk of falling in love with
him. But then she had a glimmering of an idea that such a friendship
would be open to all manner of remarks, and would hardly be
compatible with the world's ordinary ways. At any rate it would be
pleasant to be at Framley Court, if he would come and occasionally
notice her. But she did not admit to herself that such a visit would
be intolerable if his whole time were devoted to Griselda Grantly.
She neither admitted it, nor thought it; but nevertheless, in a
strange unconscious way, such a feeling did find entrance in her
bosom. And then the Christmas holidays passed away. How much of this
enjoyment fell to her share, and how much of this suffering she
endured, we will not attempt accurately to describe. Miss Grantly
remained at Framley Court up to Twelfth Night, and the Robartses also
spent most of the season at the house. Lady Lufton, no doubt, had
hoped that everything might have been arranged on this occasion in
accordance with her wishes, but such had not been the case. Lord
Lufton had evidently admired Miss Grantly very much: indeed, he
had said so to his mother half a dozen times; but it may almost be
questioned whether the pleasure Lady Lufton derived from this was not
more than neutralized by an opinion he once put forward that Griselda
Grantly wanted some of the fire of Lucy Robarts.

"Surely, Ludovic, you would never compare the two girls," said Lady
Lufton.

"Of course not. They are the very antipodes to each other. Miss
Grantly would probably be more to my taste; but then I am wise enough
t