at meeting no welcome, while Sir Guy seemed much distressed
at his intrusion.

'O you beauty!' cried Charles. 'Come here, you fine fellow.'

Bustle only looked wistfully at his master, and moved nothing but his
feather of a tail.

'Ah! I was afraid you would repent of your kindness,' said Sir Guy to
Mr. Edmonstone.

'Not at all, not at all!' was the answer; 'mamma never objects to
in-door pets, eh, Amy?'

'A tender subject, papa,' said Laura; 'poor Pepper!'

Amy, ashamed of her disposition to cry at the remembrance of the dear
departed rough terrier, bent down to hide her glowing face, and held out
her hand to the dog, which at last ventured to advance, still creeping
with his body curved till his tail was foremost, looking imploringly at
his master, as if to entreat his pardon.

'Are you sure you don't dislike it?' inquired Sir Guy, of Charles.

'I? O no. Here, you fine creature.'

'Come, then, behave like a rational dog, since you are come,' said Sir
Guy; and Bustle, resuming the deportment of a spirited and well-bred
spaniel, no longer crouched and curled himself into the shape of a
comma, but bounded, wagged his tail, thrust his nose into his master's
hand and then proceeded to reconnoitre the rest of the company, paying
especial attention to Charles, putting his fore-paws on the sofa, and
rearing himself up to contemplate him with a grave, polite curiosity,
that was very diverting.

'Well, old fellow,' said Charles, 'did you ever see the like of such a
dressing-gown? Are you satisfied? Give me your paw, and let us swear an
eternal friendship.'

'I am quite glad to see a dog in the house again,' said Laura, and,
after a few more compliments, Bustle and his master followed Mr.
Edmonstone out of the room.

'One of my father's well-judged proceedings,' murmured Charles. 'That
poor fellow had rather have gone a dozen, miles further than have been
lugged in here. Really, if papa chooses to inflict such dressing-gowns
on me, he should give me notice before he brings men and dogs to make me
their laughing-stock!'

'An unlucky moment,' said Laura. 'Will my cheeks ever cool?'

'Perhaps he did not hear,' said Amabel, consolingly.

'You did not ask about Philip?' said Charlotte, with great earnestness.

'He is staying at Thorndale, and then going to St. Mildred's,' said
Laura.

'I hope you are relieved,' said her brother; and she looked in doubt
whether she ought to laugh.

'And what do you think of Sir