Lucy stole a look from under her silken lashes, and it so happened that at that very moment she encountered a sorrowful glance from David that said plainly enough, I am obliged to be here, but I long to be there. She received his glance full in her eyes, absorbed it blandly, then lowered her lashes a moment, then turned her head with a sweet smile toward Eve. “I think you said your brother was engaged.” “No.” “I misunderstood you, then.” “Yes.” Eve uttered this monosyllable so dryly that Lucy drew back, and immediately turned the conversation into chit-chat. It had not trickled above ten minutes when an exclamation from David interrupted it. The young ladies turned instinctively, and there was David flushing all over, and speaking to Mrs. Bazalgette with a tremulous warmth, that, addressed as it was to a pretty woman, sounded marvelously like love-making. Lucy turned her crest round a little haughtily, and shot such a glance on Eve. Eve read in it a compound of triumph and pique. David came to Eve one morning with parchments in his hand and a merry smile. “Eureka!” “You're another,” said Eve, as quick as lightning, and upon speculation. “I have made Mr. Fountain's pedigree out,” explained David. “You don't say so! won't he be pleased?” “Yes. Do you think _she_ will be pleased?” “Why not? She will look pleased, anyway. I say, don't you go and tell them the whole county was owned by the Dodds before Fountain, or Funteyn, or Font, was ever heard of.” “Hardly. I have my own weaknesses, my lass; I've no need to adopt another man's.” “Bless my soul, how wise you are got! So sudden, too! You shouldn't surprise a body like that. Lucky I'm not hysterical. Now let me think, David--Solomon, I mean--no, you shall keep this discovery back awhile; it may be wanted.” She then reminded him that the Fountains were capricious; that they had dropped him for a week, and eight again; if so, this might be useful to unlock their street door to him at need. “Good heavens, Eve, what cunning!” “David, when I have a bad cause in hand, I do one of two things: I drop it, or I go into it heart and soul. If my zeal offends you, I can retire from the contest with great pleasure.” “No! no! no! no! no! If you leave the helm I shall go ashore directly”--dismay of David; grim satisfaction of his imp. This matter settled, David asked Eve if she did not think Master Nelson (Mr. Fountain's new ward) was a very nice boy. “Yes; and I see he has taken a wonderful fancy to you.” “And so have I to him; we have had one or two walks together. He is to come here at twelve o'clock to-day.” “Now why couldn't you have asked me first, David? The painters are coming into the house to-day; and the paperers, and all, and we can't be bothered with mathematics. You must do them at Font Abbey.” Eve was a little cross. David only laughed at her; but he hesitated about making a school-house of Font Abbey--it would look like intruding.