"You have never seen my sister yet," he said. "It is quite time you met. I am very anxious for you to make her acquaintance, for you could not possibly have a better or more judicious friend. Time enough for seeing Sydney again. You have not been away from each other a month yet." He did not speak unkindly, but something in his tone warned Eugenia to say no more, and to keep to herself her alarm at the thought of a fortnight's tete-a-tete with her pattern sister-in-law, for Roma she found, to her disappointment, had not yet returned from her visit to the northern godmother. "She is very pretty, extremely pretty, Beauchamp," said Mrs Eyrecourt, cordially, when alone with her brother for a few minutes the evening of their arrival. Captain Chancellor smiled and looked pleased. "And of course," pursued Gertrude, "she has everything at present in her favour. No one will be inclined to be hypercritical on so young a creature. But that sort of thing only lasts its time. _Your_ wife, Mrs Chancellor of Halswood, should show she has something more in her than youth and beauty, if she is to assist you to take the position you should. Tact will do a great deal in these cases; it is wonderful how much. I wonder if Eugenia has much tact. Is she quick at taking up things? You know how I mean." Beauchamp's brow slightly clouded over--a remembrance of his little lectures in Paris crossed his mind uncomfortably. He had never been able to persuade himself that Eugenia _had_ thoroughly entered into the spirit of his advice. "She is certainly clever naturally," he replied, evasively, "and I suppose she is what is called well-educated. Her father is a very talented man, in an odd, eccentric way, and education is his hobby. He has taught his daughters all sorts of things--almost as if they were boys." "Ah, indeed," said Mrs Eyrecourt, regretfully. "I am sorry to hear that. One must certainly be _somebody_ for oddity to pass muster. However, at your wife's age present influence is everything. I remember you said she had very few relations, and those she has she need not see much of. On the whole I confess, Beauchamp, you might have done worse if you _were_ determined to do a thing of the kind." She smiled as she spoke, and though for a minute Captain Chancellor was half-inclined to tell her that her criticism of his wife was impertinent and uncalled for, he thought better of it, partly moved thereto by hearing the rustle of Eugenia's approaching dress; so he too smiled, and murmured some words expressive of gratification at his sister's favourable opinion. Just then Eugenia entered the room. She had taken off her travelling dress, and looked fair and sweet and graceful in the white muslin that had replaced it; and the half shy, half deprecating air which hung about her on this her first introduction to her husband's relations seemed to add to her great beauty. Both brother and sister turned towards her as she came in.