And there is worse than
friendship in that quarter too."

"Oh, but Lenore is quite different!"

"A Vivienne still!" said Julius, bitterly. "If she costs poor Frank
nothing more than his appointment, it will be well."

"I don't understand!"

"She caught him in her toils two years ago at Rockpier; and now she
is playing fast and loose with him--withdrawing, as I believe; and
at any rate keeping the poor foolish boy in such an agitation, that
he can't or won't settle to his reading; and Driver thinks he will
break down."

"I can't think it of Lenore.--Oh! good morning, Raymond!"

"Good morning! May I come to breakfast number one? I have to go to
Backsworth."

"Yes," said Jenny; "we told papa it was too bad to put you on the
Prison Committee. What does your wife say?"

"My wife has so many occupations, that she is very sufficient for
herself," said Raymond. "I hope you will get on with her, Jenny.
If she could only be got to think you intellectual!"

"Me? O, Raymond! you've not been telling her so?" exclaimed Jenny,
laughing heartily.

"A very superior coach in divinity, &c.," said Julius, in a tone
half banter, half earnest.

But Jenny exclaimed in distress, "No, no, no; say nothing about
that! It would never do for Herbert to have it known. Don't let
him guess that you know."

"Quite right, Jenny; never fear," said Julius; "though it is
tempting to ask you to take Frank in hand at the same time."

"Have you seen anything of the Vivians?" asked Raymond.

"Very little. I hoped to see something of Eleonora from hence."

"I can't understand that young lady," said Julius. "She was very
friendly when first we met her; but now she seems absolutely
repellant."

"Tant mieux," Raymond

"They seem inclined to take up all the good works in hand," said
Jenny. "By the bye, what is all this story about Raymond affronting
Wil'sbro' by stirring up their gutters? Papa has been quite in a
state of mind for fear they should take offence and bring in Mr.
Moy."

"Julius only thinks I have not stirred the gutters enough," said
Raymond. "And after all, it is not I, but Whitlock. I was in hopes
that matters might have been properly looked after if Whitlock had
been chosen mayor this year; but, somehow, a cry was got up that he
was going to bring down a sanitary commission, and put the town to
great expense; and actually, this town-council have been elected
_because_ they are opposed to drainage."

"And