y the part of 'spoilers'
in the wilfulness and caprice they excite; and so I thought, 'I 'll show
you all how very easy it is to live without you. I 'll let you see that
I can exist without your homage.'"

"And you really fancied this?"

"You ask as if you thought the thing incredible."

"Only difficult,--not impossible."

"I never intended total isolation, mind. I 'd have had my intimates,
say two or three,--certainly not more,--dear friends, to come and go and
stay as they pleased."

"And do you know how you 'd have passed your time, or shall I tell you?"

"Yes. Let me hear your version of it."

"In talking incessantly of that very world you had quitted, in greedily
devouring all its scandals, and canvassing all its sins,--criticising,
very possibly, its shortcomings and condemning its frivolities; but
still following with a wistful eye all its doings, and secretly longing
to be in the thick of them."

"Oh, how wrong you are, how totally wrong! You know very little about
him who would have been my chief adviser and Grand Vizier."

"And who, pray, would have been so fortunate as to fill that post?"

"The son of that old lady to whom you devoted so many mornings,--the
playfellow of long ago, Tony Butler."

"Indeed, I only made his acquaintance yesterday, and it would be rash to
speak on such a short experience; but I may be permitted to ask, has he
that store of resources which enliven solitude? is he so full of life's
experiences that he can afford to retire from the world and live on the
interest of his knowledge of mankind?"

"He knows nothing whatever of what is called life,--at least what Mr.
Maitland would call life. He is the most simple-hearted young fellow in
the world, with the finest nature, and the most generous."

"What would I not give for a friend who would grow so enthusiastic about
me!"

"Are you so sure you 'd deserve it?"

"If I did, there would be no merit in the praise. Credit means trust for
what one may or may not have."

"Well, I am speaking of Tony as I know him; and, true to the adage,
there he is, coming down the hill. Pull up, George."

"Mr. Butler's making me a sign, ma'am, not to stop till I reach the top
of the hill."

The moment after, the spanking team stood champing their bits and
tossing their manes on the crest of the ridge.

"Come here, Tony, and be scolded!" cried Mrs. Trafford; while the young
fellow, instead of approaching the carriage, busied himself about