ut with the careful gamekeeper
at Hiltonbury, but this was a different matter, more trying to the nerves
of those who stayed at home. However, Honora suspected that the uncle's
opinion of her competence to be trusted with Owen would be much
diminished by any betrayal of womanly terrors, and she made her only
conditions that he should mind Uncle Kit, and not go in front of the
guns, otherwise he would never be taken out again, a menace which she
judiciously thought more telling than that he would be shot.

By and by Mr. Charteris came to discuss subjects so interesting to her as
a farmer, that it was past nine o'clock before she looked round for her
children. Healthy as Lucilla was, her frame was so slight and
unsubstantial, and her spirits so excitable, that over-fatigue or
irregularity always told upon her strength and temper; for which reason
Honor had issued a decree that she should go to bed at nine, and spend
two hours of every morning in quiet employment, as a counterbalance to
the excitement of the visit.

Looking about to give the summons, Honor found that Owen had disappeared.
Unnoticed, and wearied by the agricultural dialogue, he had hailed nine
o'clock as the moment of release, and crept off with unobtrusive
obedience, which Honor doubly prized when she beheld his sister full of
eagerness, among cousins and gentlemen, at the racing game. Strongly
impelled to end it at once, Honor waited, however, till the little white
horseman had reached the goal, and just as challenges to a fresh race
were beginning, she came forward with her needful summons.

'Oh, Miss Charlecote, how cruel!' was the universal cry.

'We can't spare all the life of our game!' said Charles Charteris.

'I solemnly declare we weren't betting,' cried Horatia. 'Come, the first
evening--'

'No,' said Honor, smiling. 'I can't have her lying awake to be good for
nothing to-morrow, as she will do if you entertain her too much.'

'Another night, then, you promise,' said Charles.

'I promise nothing but to do my best to keep her fit to enjoy herself.
Come, Lucy.'

The habit of obedience was fixed, but not the habit of conquering
annoyance, and Lucilla went off doggedly. Honora would have accompanied
her to soothe away her troubles, but her cousin Ratia ran after her, and
Captain Charteris stood in the way, disposed to talk. 'Discipline,' he
said, approvingly.

'Harsh discipline, I fear, it seemed to her, poor child,' said Honor;
'b