e a worse lot than to be her son's fiancee, except
to be his wife."

"She did not seem to object to these marriages."

"The sons took her by surprise. Besides, Raymond's was the very
parti mothers seek out for their sons. Depend upon it, she sent him
off with her blessing to court the unexceptionable cousin with the
family property. Poor Raymond, he is a dutiful son, and he has done
the deed; but, if I am not much mistaken the little lady is made of
something neither mother nor son is prepared for, and he has not
love enough to tame her with."

"That may be seen at a glance. He can't help it, poor fellow; he
would have had it if he could, like anything else that is proper."

There was a moment's silence; then the exclamation, "Just look
there!"

One of the hats was nodding on the box in a perilous manner.

"It is _only_ James," said Lady Tyrrell; "as long as it is not the
coachman, it matters the less. There's no danger."

"You will not keep him, though!"

"I don't know. He is much the best looking and handiest of the men;
and your page, Master Joshua, is no great acquisition yet."

"I wish you would not call him mine; I wish you would send him back
to his grandmother. I can't bear his being among those men."

"Very complimentary to my household! They are not a bit worse than
the company he came from! You don't believe in rural simplicity,
eh?"

"I believe that taking that boy from his home makes us responsible."

"And do I hinder you from catechizing him to your heart's content?
or sending him to the school of design?"

Again Eleonora was silent. Perhaps the balancing of the footman's
head occupied her mind. At any rate, no more was said till the
sisters had reached their home. Then, at the last moment, when
there was no time left for a reply, Eleonora cleared and steadied
her voice, and said, "Camilla, understand two things for truth's
sake. First, I mean what I say. Nothing shall ever induce me to
marry a man who bets. Next, I never have forgotten Frank Charnock
for one moment. If I have been cold and distant to him, it is
because I will not draw him near me to be cruelly scorned and
disappointed!"

"I don't mind the why, if the effect is the same," were Lady
Tyrrell's last words, as the door opened.

Eleonora's little white feet sped quickly up the steps, and with a
hasty good night, she sped across the hall, but paused at the door.
"Papa must not be disappointed," she whispered t