rself to be right (and the Spirit of the Nation
had long since assured her of this in matters of religion); least of
all was she afraid of "a brat of a boy," whom, as she boasted, she had
often whipped soundly when he deserved it. But, unfortunately, the
brat had her heart in his hands, and her heart was softer than Aunt
Freddy knew; and this gave the brat an unfair advantage.

"Then you know, Larry," she continued, her eyes showing what her firm
mouth did not admit; "you know, my dear boy, it was rather--well,
rather a shock to us to see in the papers your name proposed as the
Nationalist candidate here. It upset Dick very much, and, I must say,"
she added, unflinchingly, "me too!"

Larry put down the third piece of cake, half-finished, and went round
the tea-table, and sitting on the arm of Frederica's chair, put his
arm round her thin shoulders.

"I'm so sorry!" he said, knowing his power, and using it, "dear Auntie
Fred! I ought to have written to you. I forgot all about the beastly
thing. But you wouldn't want me to go back of my word? As for the
property--well, I thought that was only my own affair. I've come all
right out of it; why shouldn't I give the tenants the best terms I
could?"

"Cousin Dick says--" began Frederica, standing to her guns.

"And that other show," went on Larry, disregarding what Cousin Dick
might have said. "Goodness knows when there'll be an election--"

"That doesn't alter the fact," said Frederica, firmly.

"Yes, I know. Of course I must hold by my own convictions, but let's
put off the row until the time comes! One is bound to have rows at
elections! I don't want to fight now!"

He pressed a kiss upon her forehead. He was feeling in love and
charity with all men. To wheedle Aunt Freddy into forgiveness was the
first outlet that presented itself for the excitement that was
consuming him.

Larry walked to Mount Music through the Wood of the Ownashee, alone.
Miss Coppinger said she disliked the short way across the river by the
stepping stones, and preferred to drive the now venerable Tommy round
by the road; in her heart, brave as she was, she trusted that Larry
would have got through his meeting with Dick before she arrived.
Therefore did Larry step along the pebbly path by the river, under the
dense canopy of beechen boughs, with, for companions, only the two
hound puppies that Bill Kirby did not fail to foist annually upon all
amenable friends. These lumbered after Larry's q