ighteen years, Francis Beaumont, an Indian
nephew of Mrs. Prendergast.

'Hit off at last, isn't it, aunt? Those dog-tooth mouldings will satisfy
even the uncle.'

'Really it is very good,' said Mrs. Prendergast, as it was held up to the
light for her inspection.

'Miss Sandbrook has bewitched the camera,' continued he. 'Do you
remember the hideous muddles of last summer? But, oh! Miss Sandbrook, we
must have one more; the sun will be off by and by.'

'Only ten minutes,' said Lucilla, in a deprecating tone. 'You must not
keep me a second more, let the sun be in ever such good humour. Come,
Sarah, come and show us the place you said would be so good.'

'It is too hot,' said Sarah, bluntly, 'and I can't waste the morning.'

'Well, you pattern-pupil, I'll come presently. Indeed I will, Mrs.
Prendergast.'

'Let me see this translation, Sarah,' said Mrs. Prendergast, as the
photographers ran down-stairs.

She looked over it carefully, and as the ten minutes had passed without
sign of the governess's return, asked what naturally followed in the
morning's employment.

'Italian reading, mamma; but never mind.'

'Find the place, my dear.'

'It is only while Francis is at home. Oh, I wish I had not been cross.'
And though Sarah usually loved to read to her mother, she was uneasy all
the time, watching the door, and pausing to listen at the most moving
passages. It was full half an hour before the voices were heard
returning, and then there was a call, 'Directly, Sarah!' the dark chamber
was shut up, and all subsided.

Mrs. Prendergast stayed on, in spite of an imploring glance from her
daughter, and after an interval of the mysterious manipulations in the
closet, the photograph was borne forth in triumph.

Lucilla looked a little abashed at finding Mrs. Prendergast in presence,
and began immediately, 'There, Mr. Beaumont, you see! I hope Mrs.
Prendergast is going to banish you forthwith; you make us shamefully
idle.'

'Yes,' said Mrs. Prendergast, gravely, 'I am going to carry him off at
once, and make a law against future invasions.'

Francis attempted loud appeals, but his aunt quashed them with demeanour
that showed that she was in earnest, and drove him away before her.

'Indeed, Miss Sandbrook,' said Sarah, with affectionate compunction, 'I
did not mean to speak so loud and so crossly.'

'My dear,' said Lucilla, leaning back and fanning herself with her hat,
'we all know that we reverse the laws