if papa did
retire without--"

"Without what, Bee?"

"Being Lord Chancellor, I suppose," said Henrietta very seriously. "I am
sure I should."

"His being in Parliament will content me for the present," said
Beatrice, "for I have been told too often that high principles don't
rise in the world, to expect any more. We can be just as proud of him as
if he was."

"You are in a wondrously humble and philosophic mood, Queen Bee," said
Henrietta; "but where are we now?" added she, as a gate swung back.

"Coming into the paddock," said Beatrice; "don't you see the lights in
the house? There, that is the drawing-room window to the right, and that
large one the great hall window. Then upstairs, don't you see that red
fire-light? That is the south room, which Aunt Mary will be sure to
have."

Henrietta did not answer, for there was something that subdued her in
the nervous pressure of her mother's hand. The carriage stopped at the
door, whence streamed forth light, dazzling to eyes long accustomed to
darkness; but in the midst stood a figure which Henrietta could not but
have recognized in an instant, even had not old Mr. Langford paid more
than one visit to Rocksand. Tall, thin, unbent, with high bald forehead,
clear eye, and long snowy hair; there he was, lifting rather than
handing his daughter-in-law from the carriage, and fondly kissing her
brow; then he hastily greeted the other occupants of the carriage, while
she received the kiss of Mrs. Langford.

They were now in the hall, and turning again to his daughter-in-law, he
gave her his arm, and led her into the drawing-room, where he once more
embraced her, saying, "Bless you, my own dear Mary!" She clung to him
for a moment as if she longed to weep with him, but recovering herself
in an instant, she gave her attention to Mrs. Langford, who was trying
to administer to her comfort with a degree of bustle and activity which
suited well with the alertness of her small figure and the vivacity of
the black eyes which still preserved their brightness, though her hair
was perfectly white. "Well, Mary, my dear, I hope you are not tired. You
had better sit down and take off your furs, or will you go to your room?
But where is Geoffrey?"

"He went with Alex and Carey, round by Sutton Leigh," said Beatrice.

"Ha! ha! my little Queen, are you there?" said grandpapa, holding out
his arms to her. "And," added he, "is not this your first introduction
to the twins, grandmamma? W