intention, named the matter
to Mrs. Ketel; and that lady was able to direct Aspatria to an
excellent school in Richmond, near London. And as she was much more
favourably situated for a quick settlement of the affair, she
undertook the necessary correspondence.

Will was not ignorant of these movements, but Alice induced him to be
passive in them. "No one can then blame us, Will, whatever happens."
And as Will and Alice were extremely sensitive to public opinion, this
was a good consideration. Besides Alice, not unnaturally, wished to
have the Seat to herself; so that Aspatria's and Brune's wishes fitted
admirably into her own desires, and it gave her a kind of selfish
pleasure to forward them.

The ninth of March was Aspatria's twenty-first birthday; and it was to
her a very important anniversary, for she received as its gift her
freedom and her fortune. There was no hitch or trouble in its transfer
from Will to herself. Honour and integrity were in the life-blood of
William Anneys, honesty and justice the very breath of his nostrils.
Aspatria's fortune had been guarded with a super-sensitive care; and
when years gave her its management, Will surrendered it cheerfully to
her control.

Fortunately, the school selected by Mrs. Ketel satisfied Will
thoroughly; and Brune's commission in the Foot-Guards was in
honourable accord with the highest traditions and spirit of the dales.
For the gigantic and physically handsome men of these mountain
valleys have been for centuries considered the finest material for
those regiments whose duty it is to guard the persons and the homes of
royalty. Brune had only followed in the steps of a great number of his
ancestors.

In the beginning of April, Aspatria left Seat-Ambar for London,--left
forever all the pettiness of her house life, chairs and tables, sewing
and meals, and the useless daily labour that has to be continually
done over again. And at the last Will was very tender with her, and
even Alice did her best to make the parting days full of hope and
kindness. As for the journey, there was no anxiety; Brune was to
travel with his sister, and see her safely within her new home.

Yet neither of them left the old home without some tears. Would they
ever see again those great, steadfast hills, that purify those who
walk upon them; ever dwell again within the dear old house, that had
not been builded, but had grown with the family it had sheltered,
through a thousand years? They