"My step-son's house is the large white manorial mansion you see on the other side of the green. It is the noblest house in the county. Ah! there is nothing equal to the fine residences of our venerable agricultural nobility. My step-son is chief of the family; and though I had the misfortune to lose his mother in a very few years after our marriage, I always look upon him as a son. He looks on me as a father. We fight our battles over again, and only feel the want of a little addition to our pleasing intelligent society." Frank looked towards the mansion described as one of the noblest in England, and saw a tolerably sized square house, with a range of white palings before the door, and a vine trailing over the front, but with no appearance of grandeur more than the very ordinary houses by its side. "It would perhaps destroy the charm of the retirement you spoke of, if too many were admitted to share it," said Frank. "Has your step-son a family?" "Four blooming girls, and an equal number of boys, not quite old enough yet to be treated as companions." "Still at school?" "Oh, no! My step-son hates public education. He brings them up beneath his own roof." "With the help of a tutor, I suppose?" "No, sir--no. A tutor is too harsh. A governess does it all." "Ah!" said Frank. "You start, my friend, as if you thought it impossible; but 'tis the case I assure you--quite a young woman, too--and yet what order she keeps them in. If I had had an adjutant-general, when I had my command, with half such zeal! We military men are judges of discipline, whether it is in the school-room or the field. So is my step-son." "Pray, what age is the young person you speak so highly of?" "I should say not more than eighteen--so gentle too, with it all." "Have you had the benefit of her services long?" "About half a year; yes, I think she has introduced her system about half a year. We are quite a family party here. You see the house next to my step-son's?--the large mansion in the Tudor style of architecture? That belongs to my other step-son; a man of the purest philanthropy, who, merely to benefit the poor of his own village and the surrounding country, practises as the medical man. Next to him, again, in the turreted building with the Gothic portico, is his younger brother, who, from equally philanthropic principles, and to prevent litigation among our neighbours, acts here as an attorney. You see the brass plate on the office door? We are quite a family party, you see." "I congratulate you on your neighbourhood," said Frank. "But the next house to the youngest of your step-sons--the lath and plaster cottage with the broken casements, and untiled roof?" "Ah! that is to be let. It belongs to The Chobb." "To The Chobb! Who is The Chobb!"