suspended Dickie Drake,'
put in Mary.

And the Spa Terrace Church people said it was incense.'

'No. Nuttie!'

'Indeed they did. Louisa Barnet attacked us about it at school, and I
said I wished it had been. Only they mustn't eat peppermint in the
train, for it makes mother quite ill.'

'Do you mean that Mrs. Egremont will come?' exclaimed Mr. Dutton.

'Oh yes, she shall. It is not too far, and it will be very good for
her. I shall make her.'

'There's young England's filial duty!' said Mary.

'Why, I know what is good for her, and she always does as "I wish."'

'Beneficent despotism!' said Mr. Dutton. 'May I ask if Miss Headworth
is an equally obedient subject.'

'Oh! Aunt Ursel is very seldom tiresome.'

'Nuttie! Nuttie! my dear,' and a head with the snows of more than half
a century appeared on the other side of the wall, under a cap and
parasol. 'I am sorry to interrupt you, but it is cool enough for your
mother to go into the town, and I wish you to go with her.'

CHAPTER III.

HEIR HUNTING.

'And she put on her gown of green,
And left her mother at sixteen,
To marry Peter Bell!'--WORDSWORTH.

In the shrubberies of Monks Horton were walking a lady somewhat past
middle age, but full of activity and vigour, with one of those bright
faces that never grow old, and with her a young man, a few years over
twenty, with a grave and almost careworn countenance.

More and more confidential waxed the conversation, for the lady was
making fresh acquaintance with a nephew seldom seen since he had been
her pet and darling as almost a baby, and he was experiencing the
inexpressible charm of tone and manner that recalled the young mother
he had lost in early boyhood.

'Then your mind is made up,' she said; 'you are quite right to decide
on having a profession; but how does your father take it?'

'He is quite convinced that to repeat my uncle's life, dangling on as
heir, would be the most fatal mistake.'

'Assuredly, and all the legal knowledge you acquire is so much in
favour of your usefulness as the squire.'

'If I ever am the squire, of which I have my doubts.'

'You expect Mr. Egremont to marry?'

'Not a future marriage, but one in the past.'

'A private marriage! Do you suspect it?'

'I don't suspect it--I know it. I have been hoping to talk the matter
over with you. Do you remember our first governess, Miss Headworth?'

'My dear Mark, did I not lose at Pera the char