“I will not run the shadow of a chance,” said Sir Charles, resolutely; “let us come upstairs: my decision is taken.” The very next day Sir Charles called on Mrs. Meyrick, and asked if he could come to any arrangement with her to lodge Mr. Bassett and his nurse under her roof. “The boy wants change of air,” said he. Mrs. Meyrick jumped at the proposal, but declined all terms. “No,” said she, “the child I have suckled shall never pay me for his lodging. Why should he, sir, when I'd pay _you_ to let him come, if I wasn't afeard of offending you?” Sir Charles was touched at this, and, being a gentleman of tact, said, “You are very good: well, then, I must remain your debtor for the present.” He then took his leave, but she walked with him a few yards, just as far as the wicket, gate that separated her little front garden from the high-road. “I hope,” said she, “my lady will come and see me when my lamb is with me; a sight of her would be good for sore eyes. She have never been here but once, and then she did not get out of her carriage.” “Humph!” said Sir Charles, apologetically; “she seldom goes out now; you understand.” “Oh, I've heard, sir; and I do put up my prayers for her; for my lady has been a good friend to me, sir, and if you will believe me, I often sets here and longs for a sight of her, and her sweet eyes, and her hair like sunshine, that I've had in my hand so often. Well, sir, I hope it will be a girl this time, a little girl with golden hair; that's what I wants this time. They'll be the prettiest pair in England.” “With all my heart,” said Sir Charles; “girl or boy, I don't care which; but I'd give a few thousands if it was here, and the mother safe.” He hurried away, ashamed of having uttered the feelings of his heart to a farmer's wife. To avoid discussion, he sent Mrs. Millar and the boy off all in a hurry, and then told Lady Bassett what he had done. She appeared much distressed at that, and asked what she had done. He soothed her, and said she was not to blarne at all; and she must not blame him either. He had done it for the best. “After all, you are the master,” said she, submissively. “I am,” said he, “and men will be tyrants, you know.” Then she flung her arm round her tyrant's neck, and there was an end of the discussion. One day he inquired for her, and heard, to his no small satisfaction, she had driven to Mrs. Meyrick's, with a box of things for Mr. Bassett. She stayed at the farmhouse all day, and Sir Charles felt sure he had done the right thing. Mrs. Meyrick found out to her cost the difference between a nursling and a rampageous little boy.