uld be no more London expenses that year.

The girls, when they got up to go to bed, bent over him and kissed his
head, as was their custom. There was very little show of affection in
the kiss. 'You had better remember that what you have to do in town
must be done this week,' he said. They heard the words, but marched in
stately silence out of the room without deigning to notice them.

CHAPTER XIV - CARBURY MANOR

'I don't think it quite nice, mamma; that's all. Of course if you have
made up your mind to go, I must go with you.'

'What on earth can be more natural than that you should go to your own
cousin's house?'

'You know what I mean, mamma.'

'It's done now, my dear, and I don't think there is anything at all in
what you say.' This little conversation arose from Lady Carbury's
announcement to her daughter of her intention of soliciting the
hospitality of Carbury Manor for the Whitsun week. It was very
grievous to Henrietta that she should be taken to the house of a man
who was in love with her, even though he was her cousin. But she had
no escape. She could not remain in town by herself, nor could she even
allude to her grievance to any one but her mother. Lady Carbury, in
order that she might be quite safe from opposition, had posted the
following letter to her cousin before she spoke to her daughter:--

Welbeck Street, 24th April, 18--.

My dear Roger,

We know how kind you are and how sincere, and that if what I am
going to propose doesn't suit you'll say so at once. I have been
working very hard too hard indeed, and I feel that nothing will do
me so much real good as getting into the country for a day or two.
Would you take us for a part of Whitsun week? We would come down
on the 20th May and stay over the Sunday if you would keep us.
Felix says he would run down though he would not trouble you for
so long a time as we talk of staying.

I'm sure you must have been glad to hear of his being put upon
that Great American Railway Board as a Director. It opens a new
sphere of life to him, and will enable him to prove that he can
make himself useful. I think it was a great confidence to place in
one so young.

Of course you will say so at once if my little proposal interferes
with any of your plans, but you have been so very very kind to us
that I have no scruple in making it.

Henrietta joins with me in kind love.

Your affection