‘Hardly, according to papa’s ideas. You see the Earldom of Heronville is only a creation of Charles the Second’s reign, and his peerages are not always respectable. I believe there were scandals about the first countess. Her portrait by Sir Peter Lely hangs in the refectory at Goring Abbey. She was a very lovely woman, and Lady Geraldine was rather proud of being thought like her.’ ‘Although she was not respectable,’ said Daphne. ‘And was there really a likeness?’ ‘Yes; and a marked one. I can see it even in Gerald, who is the image of his mother—the same dreamy eyes, the same thoughtful mouth. But you will be able to judge for yourself when Gerald comes home, for I have no doubt we shall be going over to the Abbey.’ ‘The Abbey! It is a very old place, I suppose?’ ‘No; it was built by Mr. Goring.’ ‘Why Abbey? Surely that means an old place that was once inhabited by monks.’ ‘It was Mr. Goring’s fancy. He insisted upon calling his house an abbey. It was foolish, of course; but, though he was a very good man, I believe he had a slight leaven of obstinacy in his disposition, and when once he had made up his mind about anything he was not to be turned from his purpose.’ ‘Perverse old creature! And is the Abbey nice?’ ‘It is as grand and as beautiful a place as money could make it. There are cloisters copied from those at Muckross, and the dining-room has a Gothic roof, and is called a refectory. The situation is positively lovely: a richly timbered valley, sheltered by green hills.’ ‘And you are to be mistress of this magnificent place. Oh, Lina, what shall I do when you are married, and I am left alone here _tête-à-tête_ with papa? How shall I support my life?’ ‘Dearest, by that time you will have learned to understand your father, and you will be quite at your ease with him.’ ‘I think not. I am afraid he is one of those mysteries which I shall never fathom.’ ‘My love, that is such a foolish notion. Besides, in a year or two my Daphne may have a husband and a house of her own—perhaps a more interesting place then Goring Abbey,’ added Lina, thinking of Hawksyard, which seemed to her Daphne’s natural destination. * * * * *