"I mean nothing more or less than this. You are to come with me to Tynebrook this morning, to learn how to angle; who knows what you may catch? I told Mr. Haveloc I should bring you, and he could not prevent me, though he seemed very much averse to your company." Margaret smiled quietly at this remark, and Harriet turned to attack Everard, who entered the room at this moment. "So here you are, slugs, who gave you leave to come and breakfast here this morning?" "It is so dull, alone," said Everard, drawing his chair to the table. "Where is your book, Sir? Have you learned that scene through? I have a great mind to hear you say it before I give you any coffee." "I can't, Harriet," said Everard, quietly beginning his breakfast. "Can't--what? Good gracious, that I should live to hear anybody say they can't!" "I can't learn it; nor could you, if--" (here he stopped and took breath,) "if you did not know the English of it." "If that is not a sufficient reason," said Mr. Gage, laughing, "I never heard one." Everard went on peaceably eating his breakfast. Harriet surveyed him in speechless indignation. "He does not know the English of it!" she exclaimed at last; "he reads it like a parrot. Why even Captain Smithson--your prétendu, Margaret--knows French. It is something horrible. George, what shall we do?" "Oh! Haveloc _must_ take it now," said Mr. Gage, "he cannot have any real objection when he sees you in actual want of his assistance." "Will you try to persuade him, Margaret?" said Harriet. Margaret shook her head. "It is a mere idle excuse," exclaimed Harriet after a pause, "I am sure, by the way he read that long scene with Camille, that he understood it." "I know the meaning of part, but I cannot make it all out," said Everard. "Then I will translate it for you. You give me an infinite deal of trouble, but I console myself by thinking how remarkably well you will look." Everard, soothed by this little compliment, offered no opposition to the plan; and Harriet, rising from the table, said that if Margaret had breakfasted, they would go down stairs and arrange their expedition. A similar desire seemed to possess the whole party of ladies--to learn to angle. Never did a more brilliant morning follow a stormy night. Mrs. Fitzpatrick said something about damp grass, but she was the only middle-aged lady present, and her hint fell to the ground. Lady James and Miss Campbell, standing together, by the open piano, were engaged in an interesting conversation; Miss Campbell sometimes running over the keys with one hand, and looking down at the music book; Lady James approaching her head nearer and nearer in the earnestness of her discourse. Harriet reclined in the corner of a couch, fixed her eyes, brimming with mischief, upon the talkers; and, although Lady James had the precaution to speak low, she caught a few fragments. "He was absolutely rivetted by that song of Schubert's," said Lady James.