, as he returned the salute of his eldest girl, Valentina.

"I'm sorry we're late, papa; but we went farther than we meant."

"But you know, Tiny," said Sir Hampton, "I like punctuality."

And he glanced with pride at the graceful undulating form, in its pretty
morning dress; and then gazed in the soft grey eyes, looking lovingly
out of a sweet oval face, framed in rich brown hair.

"Oh, bother punctuality, daddy!" said the younger girl, a merry,
mischievous-looking blonde, with freckled face, bright eyes, and a
charming petite form that was most attractive. "Don't be cross," she
cried, getting behind his chair, throwing her arms round his neck, and
laying a soft downy cheek upon his bald head. "Don't be cross; we've
had such a jolly walk, and got a basketful of ferns. There! that'll
make you good tempered."

And she leaned over, dragging his head back, and kissed him half a dozen
times on the forehead.

"Fin! Finetta!" exclaimed Sir Hampton. "Now, suppose one of the
servants saw you!"

"Oh, they wouldn't mind, daddy," laughed the girl. "Oh, I say, how your
head shines this morning!"

And bubbling over, as it were, with fun, she breathed sharply twice on
her astonished parent's crown, gave her hand a circular movement over it
a few times, and, before he could recover from his surprise, she
finished it off with a polish from her pocket-handkerchief, and then
stepped back, looking mischievously at the irate knight, as he forced
his chair back from the table and stared at her.

"Is the girl mad?" he exclaimed. "Finetta, you make me exceedingly
angry."

"Not with me, daddy," said the girl placing herself on his knee. "Kiss
me, and say good morning, sir."

The head of the family hesitated for a moment, and then could not resist
the upturned face, which he kissed and then pushed the girl away.

"Now go to your place; and I insist Fin, upon your dropping--"

Miss Matilda started.

"I mean leaving off--using that absurdly childish appellation. I desire
you always to address me as papa."

"All right, daddy," said the girl, laughing--"as soon as I can teach
myself."

Sir Hampton snatched himself back into his place, and began to open
letters; while Finetta went and kissed her aunt.

"Well, aunty, how's Pip this morning?"

"Pepine is very unwell, my dear," said Miss Matilda, coldly.

"You stuff him too much, aunty, and don't give him exercise enough."

"My dear you should not deliver opinions upon