not meaning
me to hear--about a will, I mean--and I told them I wasn't going to
have you worried, and I thought I had stopped it altogether.'

'Stop a woman bent on her duty? Hein! But you are a good girl, and
shall come to no loss when we have to make your marriage settlement.'

'You won't have to do that, father!'

'Hein! What do you keep that poor fellow Clarence Fane dangling in
attendance on you for?'

'I don't! I'm sure I don't want him. I would do anything to keep him
at a distance!'

'How now! I thought your Grace condescended to him more than to any
one else.'

'I don't dislike him unless he has _that_ in his head; but as to
marrying him! Oh--h--h,' such a note of horror that elicited a little
laugh.

'So hot against him, are we? Who is it then? Not the umbrella fellow?'

'Father! how can you?' she cried, with a burning flush of indignation.
He--why--he! He has always been a sort of uncle, ever since I was a
little girl.'

'Oh yes, adopted uncles are very devout when young ladies rush out to
morning prayers at unearthly hours--'

'Father!' with her voice trembling, 'I assure you he doesn't--I mean he
always goes to St. Michael's, unless he has anything particular to say
to me.'

'Oh yes, I understand,' and Mr. Egremont indulged in a hearty laugh,
which almost drove poor Nuttie beside herself.

'Indeed--indeed,' she stammered, in her confusion and suppressed wrath;
'it is nothing of that sort. He is a regular old bachelor--he always
was.'

'At what age do men become old bachelors? For he seems to me about the
age of poor Clarry, whom you seem to view as a bugbear.'

'I wish you would not think of such things, father; I have not the
slightest intention of leaving you and dear little Wynnie! Nothing
should tempt me!'

'Nothing? Hein! Then you may as well be on your guard, Miss Egremont,
or we shall have pleadings that you have encouraged them--church and
world--or both, maybe. You pious folk take your little diversions and
flirtations just like your poor sisters whom you shake your heads at,
never guessing how Gregorio and I have looked out at you and your
adopted uncle parading the street.'

'I wish Gregorio would mind his own business, and not put such things
in your head!' burst out Nuttie.

At which Mr. Egremont laughed longer and louder than ever.

Poor Nuttie! It was terrible discomfiture, not only for the moment,
but a notion had been planted in her mind that seemed