"You would like Mr. Cornwall to stop to tea?" Enlightened by Fanny's confession in the early part of the day, she regarded Mr. Cornwall and her niece as lovers, and her sympathies were already enlisted on their side. "Yes, aunt," replied Phoebe. "But it is a little awkward, is it not? What shall I do?" "Go and ask your father," said Aunt Leth. "Say that Mr. Cornwall is a friend of ours, and that you have often met him at our house. Go at once; Mr. Cornwall need not know; I will keep him engaged while you are away." Phoebe nodded, and started for the house. Mrs. Pamflett, seeing her coming, beat a retreat, not desiring to meet the young girl just at that moment. "Father," said Phoebe, "I am in a difficulty. I hope you will not mind." "Not at all," said Miser Farebrother. She had never heard him speak in a voice so kind and gentle. "A friend of Aunt Leth's has just arrived, and has brought me these." She showed him the flowers and the presents, and he pretended to take interest in them. "He has been on the Continent, father; and he purchased presents for all of us." "Very generous, very generous," said Miser Farebrother. "Did you invite him here?" "No, father; I would not have dared without asking your consent. I can't make out how he found his way here, and how he knew it was my birthday. I did not tell him." "Perhaps your aunt did." "I think not, father." "What is your difficulty, Phoebe?" "I should like to ask him to stop to tea, if you have no objection." "You may ask him," said Miser Farebrother. He had a direct motive in giving his consent so readily. The nature of his late reflections had inspired an interest in all Phoebe's acquaintances, and he wished to see this friend of her aunt's. "Oh, father, how can I thank you?" "By obeying me, Phoebe." "Yes, father; I will." "I hope you will keep your word. What is the name of this new friend?" "Not new, father--old." "New to me. What is his name?" "Mr. Cornwall. He is a gentleman, father." "Young?" "Yes, father." "What is he besides being a gentleman?" "He is a barrister." "A lawyer? Ah! A clever one?" "They say so, father." "Ah! Is he a great friend of your aunt's?" "A very great friend, father. They think the world of him."