He seemed to think the same for on the day he left it he grumbled dreadfully at being carried in Phillis's strong arms--which he had fiercely resisted at first--to the drawing-room, where he was to hold his second tea-party--of aunts. There they sat waiting, Aunt Maria fond and tearful, Aunt Henrietta grim and severe. And shortly--nay, before Arthur was well settled on the sofa, and lay pale and silent, still clinging to his step-mother's hand, the cause of her severity came out. "Dr. Grey, what have you been doing? Buying a new piano?" Yes, there it was, a beautiful Erard; and Dr. Grey stood and smiled at it with an almost childish delight, as if he had done something exceedingly clever, which he certainly had. "To buy a new piano--without consulting me! I never heard of such a thing. Mrs. Grey, this is your doing!" "She never saw it before, or knew I meant to buy it; but, now it is bought, I hope she will like it. Try it, Christian." His wife was deeply touched, so much so that she almost felt sorry for Aunt Henrietta, she would have given much to bring a little brightness, a little kindness, into that worn, restless, unhappy face, true reflection of the nature which itself created its own unhappiness, as well as that of all connected with it. She said, almost humbly, "You are very good! I never had a piano of my own before. And I hope Miss Gascoigne will enjoy it as much as I shall myself." The soft, answer--never wasted upon fiercest wrath--threw a little oil upon Miss Gascoigne's. She spoke no more, but she resolutely turned her back upon the offending instrument. Christian struck a few chords, just to please her husband, and came away. It was an uncomfortable tea-party--not nearly so merry as Arthur's first. After it, the boy wearily curled up on the sofa to sleep, and his father glanced round in search of his best friend--the big book. Stop a minute, Dr. Grey; before you retire to your study, as you always seem to do whenever all your family happen to be met socially together, I have to ask you about that invitation to St. Mary's Lodge which came this morning.'' Dr. Grey paused, and listened to a long explanation, ending in the decision (to which Christian passively submitted, for what must be done had best be done quickly) that he and his bride should make their long-delayed public appearance in Avonsbridge society at an evening party shortly to be given by the Master of St. Mary's.