"He's a very pleasant fellow," said Frank. "Is he?" said the old lady, in rather acrid tones. "I didn't think you knew him." "Not know him!" exclaimed Frank; "why, mother dear, how on earth should he call here if I didn't know him?" "He might be a friend of your wife's, my dear." "But my wife's friends are mine, are they not?" "It does not always follow, Frank," said the old lady calmly; "besides, I thought if he had been a friend of yours, he would have called _sometimes_ when you were at home." Frank looked up quickly with a flushed face; then said, "What nonsense, mum! the man is an old friend of Barbara's, and comes at such times as are most convenient to himself. You don't understand the set of people he lives with, mum." "Very likely not, my dear; and I'm sure I'm not sorry for it; for they seem strange enough; at least to a quiet old-fashioned body like myself, who was taught never to receive male friends when my husband--however, that's neither here nor there." And Mrs. Churchill bustled out. When Barbara came down to luncheon, Frank said to her, "I hear you had Captain Lyster here, last night, Barbara." "Oh, yes," she replied, "I forgot to tell you; he sat here some time." "He comes pretty frequently, doesn't he?" "I don't know," said Barbara, looking up; "I never counted the number of times; you always hear when he has been." "I wish you'd do something for me, Barbara," said Frank. "Well, what is it?" "Just tell Lyster it would be better if he could contrive to call when I'm at home." "Why?" asked Barbara pointedly. "Why--well--upon my word--I scarcely know why--except that people talk, you know; and it's better--eh? don't you think?" stammered Frank. He had acted on impulse again, and felt confoundedly ashamed of himself. "I distinctly decline to do any thing of the sort. I wonder Frank, you're not ashamed to propose such a thing to me; but I can see what influence has been at work." "There has been no influence at all; only I choose--" "And _I_ choose that you should find a fitter person than your wife to deliver insulting messages to your friends!" "Barbara suppose I were to insist upon your not receiving this man again?" "You had better not, Frank," said she, moving towards the door; "you don't know whom you have to deal with." And she swept out of the room. And this was Barbara's first lesson in the _manège_. CHAPTER XXV. A GARDEN-PARTY AT UPLANDS.