Looking about to give the summons, Honor found that Owen had disappeared. Unnoticed, and wearied by the agricultural dialogue, he had hailed nine o'clock as the moment of release, and crept off with unobtrusive obedience, which Honor doubly prized when she beheld his sister full of eagerness, among cousins and gentlemen, at the racing game. Strongly impelled to end it at once, Honor waited, however, till the little white horseman had reached the goal, and just as challenges to a fresh race were beginning, she came forward with her needful summons. 'Oh, Miss Charlecote, how cruel!' was the universal cry. 'We can't spare all the life of our game!' said Charles Charteris. 'I solemnly declare we weren't betting,' cried Horatia. 'Come, the first evening--' 'No,' said Honor, smiling. 'I can't have her lying awake to be good for nothing to-morrow, as she will do if you entertain her too much.' 'Another night, then, you promise,' said Charles. 'I promise nothing but to do my best to keep her fit to enjoy herself. Come, Lucy.' The habit of obedience was fixed, but not the habit of conquering annoyance, and Lucilla went off doggedly. Honora would have accompanied her to soothe away her troubles, but her cousin Ratia ran after her, and Captain Charteris stood in the way, disposed to talk. 'Discipline,' he said, approvingly. 'Harsh discipline, I fear, it seemed to her, poor child,' said Honor; 'but she is so excitable that I must try to keep her as quiet as possible.' 'Right,' said the captain; 'I like to see a child a child still. You must have had some tussles with that little spirit.' 'A few,' she said, smiling. 'She is a very good girl now, but it has been rather a contrast with her brother.' 'Ha!' quoth the captain; and mindful of the milk-sop charge, Honora eagerly continued, 'You will soon see what a spirit he has! He rides very well, and is quite fearless. I have always wished him to be with other boys, and there are some very nice ones near us--they think him a capital cricketer, and you should see him run and vault.' 'He is an active-looking chap,' his uncle granted. 'Every one tells me he is quite able to make his way at school; I am only anxious to know which public school you and your brother would prefer.' 'How old is he?' 'Only twelve last month, though you would take him for fifteen.' 'Twelve; then there would be just time to send him to Portsmouth, get him prepared for a naval cadetship, then, when I go out with Sir David Horfield, I could take him under my own eye, and make a man of him at once.' 'Oh! Captain Charteris,' cried Honora, aghast, 'his whole bent is towards his father's profession.' The captain had very nearly whistled, unable to conceive any lad of spirit preferring study. 'Whatever Miss Charlecote's wishes may be, Kit,' interposed the diplomatic elder brother, 'we only desire to be guided by them.'