‘Yes, I am your Aunt Judith, my dear,’ she said. ‘And I am very, very glad to see you--we are all glad.’ She still held him in her arms, looking at him long and hungrily. Miss Pepperdine came in, businesslike and bustling; she had lingered in the hall, ostensibly to give an order to the servant, but in reality to get rid of a tear or two. ‘Now, then, let me have a look at him,’ she said, and drew the boy out of Judith’s hands and turned him to the light. ‘Your Aunt Judith,’ she continued as she scanned him critically, ‘is the handsome one, as I heard you say just now--I’m the ugly one. Do you think you’ll like me?’ Lucian stared back at her with a glance as keen and searching as her own. He looked her through and through. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘I like you. I think----’ He paused and smiled a little. ‘You think--what?’ ‘I think you might be cross sometimes, but you’re good,’ he said, still staring at her. Miss Pepperdine laughed. Judith knew that she was conquered. ‘Well, you’ll find out,’ said Miss Pepperdine. ‘Now, then, off with your coat--are you hungry?’ ‘No,’ answered Lucian. ‘I ate too much at Mrs. Trippett’s--English people have such big meals, I think.’ ‘Give him a drop of something warm,’ said Mr. Pepperdine, entering with much rubbing of hands and stamping of feet. ‘’Tis cold as Christmas, driving through them woods ’twixt here and Wellsby.’ Miss Pepperdine set the brass pan on the fire, and presently handed Lucian a glass of hot milk, and produced an old-fashioned biscuit-box from the cupboard. The boy sat down near Judith, ate and drank, and looked about him, all unconscious that the two women and the man were watching him with all their eyes. ‘I like this room better than Mrs. Trippett’s,’ he said suddenly. ‘Hers is a pretty room, but this shows more taste. And all the furniture is Chippendale!’ ‘Bless his heart!’ said Miss Pepperdine, ‘so it is. How did you know that, my dear?’ Lucian stared at her. ‘I know a lot about old furniture,’ he said; ‘my father taught me.’ He yawned and looked apologetic. ‘I think I should like to go to bed,’ he added, glancing at Miss Pepperdine. ‘I am sleepy--we have been travelling all day.’ Judith rose from her chair with alacrity. She was pining to get the boy all to herself. ‘I’ll take him to his room,’ she said. ‘Come along, dear, your room is all ready for you.’ The boy shook hands with Aunt Keziah. She kissed him again and patted his head. He crossed over to Mr. Pepperdine, who was pulling off his boots. ‘I’ll go riding with you in the morning,’ he said. ‘After breakfast, I suppose, eh?’ ‘Ay, after breakfast,’ answered Mr. Pepperdine. ‘I’ll tell John to have the pony ready. Good-night, my lad; your Aunt Judith’ll see you’re all comfortable.’ Lucian shook hands with his uncle, and went cheerfully away with Judith. Miss Pepperdine sighed as the door closed upon them. ‘He’s the very image of Cyprian Damerel,’ she said; ‘but he has Lucy’s eyes.’