f the sorrow
being for wrongdoing, not for reproof, for the pony would bear no more
last words.

Eustace had behaved all along with much politeness; in fact, he was
always seen to most advantage with strangers, for his manners had some
training, and a little constraint was good for him by repressing some
of his sayings. His first remark, when the brother and sister were out
of hearing, was, "A very sweet, lively young lady. I never saw her
surpassed in Sydney!"

"I should think not," said Harold.

"Well, you know I have been presented and have been to a ball at
Government House. There's an air, a tournure about her, such as uncle
Smith says belongs to the real aristocracy; and you saw she was quite
at her ease with me. We understand each other in the higher orders.
Don't be afraid, Lucy, we shall yet bring back your friend to you."

"I'm glad she is gone," said Dora, true to her jealousy. "I like
Dermot; he's got some sense in him, but she's not half so nice and
pretty as Lucy."

At which we all laughed, for I had never had any attempt at beauty,
except, I believe, good hair and teeth, and a habit of looking
good-humoured.

"She's a tip-topper," pronounced Eustace, "and no wonder, considering
who she is. Has she been presented, Lucy?"

Though she had not yet had that inestimable advantage, Eustace showed
himself so much struck with her that, when next Harold found himself
alone with me, he built a very remarkable castle in the air--namely, a
wedding between Eustace and Viola Tracy. "If I saw him with such
happiness as that," said Harold, "it would be all right. I should have
no fears at all for him. Don't you think it might be, Lucy?"

"I don't think you took the way to recommend the family to Lady Diana,"
I said, laughing.

"I had not thought of it then," said Harold; "I'm always doing
something wrong. I wonder if I had better go back and keep out of his
way?"

He guessed what I should answer, I believe, for I was sure that Eustace
would fail without Harold, and I told him that his cousin must not be
left to himself till he had a good wife. To which Harold replied, "Are
all English ladies like that?"

He had an odd sort of answer the next day, when we were all riding
together, and met another riding party--namely, the head of the Horsman
family and his two sisters, who had been on the Continent when my
nephews arrived. Mamma did not like them, and we had never been great
friends; but they ha