was not a strong child, and the accounts of her health and spirits
which her governess, Mademoiselle Vadevant, gave Lady Coke, did not
satisfy that dear old lady. She did not like to hear that Estelle was
apt to cry on the slightest excuse; that she had no energy, no appetite;
that she was listless in her play, never happy except when with her
father, and soon grew tired with the least exertion. Every breath of
wind appeared to give her a cold, and she slept badly. Lady Coke said
little, but she thought deeply about all she heard and saw.

A few weeks after this visit of Lady Coke's, Lord Lynwood, to his great
surprise, received a letter from a very influential quarter; his past
services to the State were spoken of in the most flattering manner, and
he was urged to accept office again. An appointment to the Court of
Austria was offered to him in terms which made refusal almost
impossible. Lady Coke was delighted when he showed her the letter, and
warmly begged him not to throw away what had been offered to him in such
a kindly spirit. She did not betray her own handiwork in the offer.

'It is the best thing that could have happened!' she exclaimed, smiling
and pleased. 'The very best thing for you and Estelle.'

'Best for the child?' he repeated, blankly.

'Yes, even for Estelle,' replied his aunt, with decision. 'She ought to
have many things which you cannot give her, with all your love; her
mother would have understood. She must live in a warmer, sunnier
climate. She ought to have the companionship of other children; some one
to play with, and some one to work with as well as play.'

'Ah!' said the Earl, feeling as if a trap had been sprung upon him. 'And
where is she to have all this?'

'Let her live with me,' replied Lady Coke, smiling. 'Her cousins are
quite close, and she will be with them every day. I am sure you will
soon see how greatly this plan will benefit the dear child, and will not
grudge what will do her good.'

'I should not mind so much leaving her if she were with you,' admitted
the Earl, after a long pause. 'But are you sure it will not be too much
for you, dear aunt, to have so young a child with you always? Will she
not tire you?'

'You little know how young I am still,' she interrupted with a merry
laugh. 'I love the child, and you could not give me greater pleasure
than by leaving her with me.'

The more the plan was talked over the more pleasant and possible it
became, and when the E