"Yes, my dear, yes--I will own, yes, undoubtedly, Frances, for all she is so quiet, and not what you would call a young person, is a good deal missed in the place. But you have not answered my query yet, Fluff. Have you come to stay?" "No, I've not come to stay; at least, I think not. Squire, I am glad you appreciate dear Frances at last." "Of course, my love, of course. A good creature--not young, but a good, worthy creature. It is a great affliction to me, being obliged, owing to sad circumstances, to live apart from my daughter. I am vexed that you can not pay me a little visit, Fluff. Whose carriage was that you came in? and what part of the world are you staying in at present?" "That dear little pony-trap belongs to Mrs. Carnegie, of Arden; and her niece, Mrs. Passmore, drove me over. I am staying with Mr. and Mrs. Spens, at Martinstown." "Spens the lawyer?" "Yes, Spens the lawyer. I may stay with him if I like, may I not? I am a great friend of his. He sent me over here to-day to see you on most important business." "My dear Fluff! Really, if Spens has business with me, he might have the goodness to come here himself." "He couldn't--he has a very bad influenza cold; he's in bed with it. That was why I offered to come. Because the business is so very important." "How came he to talk over my affairs with a child like you?" "Well, as you'll learn presently, they happen to be my affairs too. He thought, as he couldn't stir out of his bed, and I knew all the particulars, that I had better come over and explain everything to you, as the matter is of such great importance, and as a decision must be arrived at to-day." Fluff spoke with great eagerness. Her eyes were glowing, her cheeks burning, and there wasn't a scrap of her usual fun about her. In spite of himself the squire was impressed. "I can not imagine what you have to say to me," he said; "but perhaps we had better go into the house." "I think we had," said Fluff; "for as what I have got to say will startle you a good deal, you had better sit in your favorite arm-chair, and have some water near you in case you feel faint." As she spoke she took his hand, led him through the French windows into his little parlor, and seated him comfortably in his favorite chair. "Now I'll begin," said Fluff. "You must not interrupt me, although I'm afraid you will be a little startled. You have mortgaged the Firs for six thousand pounds." "My dear Ellen!"--an angry flush rose in the squire's cheeks. "Who has informed you with regard to my private affairs? Frances has done very--" "Frances has had nothing to say to it; I won't go on if you interrupt me. You have mortgaged the Firs for six thousand pounds, to some people of the name of Dawson & Blake, in London. Frances lives at Arden, in order to pay them three hundred pounds a year interest on the mortgage." "Yes, yes; really, Frances--really, Spens--"