"O yes, please do!" said Laura. "I'm dying for want of an ice, or a cup of tea. I've been pestered for the last half-hour by that horrible fat boy!" "Fat boy!" said Charley wonderingly. "Yes; you know whom I mean--Hugh Lingon. So glad to have you come and set me free!" Charley Vining did not say anything; but he led his companion towards the refreshment-tent, carefully avoiding the open lawn, and taking her, nowise unwilling, round by the shady walks where there were but few people, her steps growing slower, and her hand more heavy in its pressure. And still Charley Vining was quiet and thoughtful; but he led his companion to the refreshment-tent, handed the demanded ice, and then sauntered with her towards the lawn, still gay with fashionably-dressed groups. "Had we not better get in the shade?" said Laura languidly. "The afternoon sun is quite oppressive." "Let's cross over to Max," said Charley. "That seems a pleasant shady seat." Laura did not speak, but she looked sidewise in his preoccupied countenance, and, evidently piqued at what she considered his indifference, allowed herself to be led across the lawn. "By the way, Miss Bray," said Charley suddenly, "you never introduced me to your lady friend." "Lady friend!" said Laura, as if surprised. "Yes, the fair girl that friend Max there seems so taken with. Is it his _fiancee_?" Laura Bray's eyes glittered as she bent forward and looked intently in her companion's face; then a tightness seemed to come over the muscles of her countenance, giving her a hard bitter look, as a flash of suspicion crossed her mind. The next moment she smiled; but it was not a pleasant smile, though it displayed two rows of the most brilliantly-white teeth. But, apparently determined upon her course, she increased the pace at which they were walking till they stood in front of the seat where, with a troubled look in her eyes, sat, listening perforce to the doubtless agreeable conversation of Mr Maximilian Bray, the lady of the railway station, and the companion of Laura in the brougham. It was with a look almost of malice that, stopping short, Laura fixed her eyes upon Charley Vining, to catch the play of his countenance as, without altering the direction of her glance, she said aloud: "Miss Bedford, this gentleman has requested to be introduced to you--Mr Charles Vining." Then, with mock courtesy, and still devouring each twitch and movement, she continued: "Mr Charles Vining--Miss Bedford, _our new governess_!" Volume 1, Chapter IX. AN UNEXPECTED PROTECTOR. Mr Onesimus Bray led rather an uncomfortable life at home, and more than once he had confided his troubles to the sympathising ear of Sir Philip Vining. Laura was given to snubbing him; Max made no scruple about displaying the contempt in which he held his parent; while as to Mrs Bray, the wife of his bosom, the principal cause of his suffering from her was the way in which she sat upon him.