will burst out like a closed boiler some day."

"A muscular Christian on your hands?"

"Not theoretically, for he has been well taught; but it's a great
animal that needs to work off its steam, and if I had known it, I
would not have undertaken the problem of letting him do that,
without setting up bad habits, or scandalizing the parish and
Bindon--who is young the other way, and has no toleration. We had
this morning's service in a state of siege from all the dogs.
Herbert thought he had shut them safely up, but they were all at his
heels in the churchyard; and though he rated them home, and shut all
the doors, we heard them whining and scratching at each in turn."

"I thought I should have died of it," said Rosamond, entering. "His
face grew red enough to set his surplice on fire, and Mr. Bindon
glared at him, and he missed his verse in the Psalm; for there was
the bull terrier, crouching and looking abject at the vestry-door,
just restrained by his eye from coming further."

"What shall you do about it, Julius?" asked his mother, much amused.

"Oh, that will remedy itself. All dogs learn to understand the
bell."

And then the others began to drop in, and were told of the
invitation that was coming.

"I say, Rosamond," cried Charlie, "can brothers and sisters-in-law
dance together?"

"That depends on how the brothers-in-law dance," returned Rosamond.
"Some one, for pity's sake, play a waltz!--Come along Charlie! the
hall is a sweet place for it!--Whistle, Julius!--Frank, whistle!"

And away she whirled. Frank, holding out his hands, was to his
surprise accepted by Cecil, and disappeared with her into the hall.
Julius stood by the mantelpiece, with the first shadow on his brow
his mother had seen since his arrival. Presently he spoke in a
defensive apologetic tone: "She has always been used to this style
of thing."

"Most naturally," said the mother.

"Not that they ever did more than their position required, and Lady
Rathforlane is a truly careful mother. Of course some things might
startle you stay-at-home people; but in all essentials--"

"I see what you mean."

"And what seems like rattle is habit."

"Simple gaiete de coeur!"

"So it is better to acquiesce till it subsides of itself. You see
it is hard, after such a life of change and variety, to settle down
into a country parsonage."

"What are you saying there?" said Rosamond, tripping in out of
breath.

"That I don't know how you