"Humph--that's right; but don't be so indifferent. Dana is an exceedingly pretty, clever girl; a splendid horsewoman; of good birth; and she and Saxa have capital portions. One of them will have Morton, of course; in all probability Dana, for Saxa, when she marries your brother, will go to live in town. Now, I should like to know what more a young fellow of your age could wish for--the money you will get from me, Morton Court, Dana's portion, and a pretty, clever wife." "I think you might have put the lady first, Ralph," said Aunt Anne. "Mrs Barnett, will you be good enough to finish your breakfast, and let me speak," said Mr Elthorne cuttingly. "Then, by-and-by, you will be on the bench, and, before long, have a third of your aunt's money, for she cannot live long if she eats so much." "My dear Ralph," cried the lady. "Can you make any better plans, sir? If so, pray let me hear them, there is no coercion--I merely ask you all to do well, and be happy." "Oh, no, I have no plans. I like Dana very well. She's a jolly enough girl." "Then that's settled, sir; only just bear it in mind, and don't let Burwood be stuffing her head full of nonsensical ideas. Some girls would be attracted at once by the prospect of becoming `my lady,' but Dana is too shrewd." "Almost a pity that the girls have no brother," said Alison carelessly. "Why, sir?" said his father sharply. "Because then he could have married little Isabel, and completed the combination," said Alison, looking meaningly at his sister. "Don't be an ass, boy. Hallo! Who's this?" cried Mr Elthorne, turning sharply in his chair as a bell rang. "Only Beck, father. I asked him to come with us." Mr Elthorne turned upon his son mute with anger and annoyance; hence he did not notice the bright look and increase of colour in his daughter's face. "You asked him to come over--this morning?" "Yes, father. Poor beggar, he only has a few more days before he sails for China, and I thought it would be neighbourly. Old Beck is always very nice to me." "Oh, very well," said Mr Elthorne abruptly; and Isabel uttered a low sigh of relief as she busied herself over her aunt's cup, suddenly displaying great anxiety that the placid looking lady should have some more coffee. "Better ask him in to breakfast, Al," said Mr Elthorne. "Yes; I was going to," said Alison, rising and leaving the room, to return in a few minutes with a frank, manly looking young fellow of seven or eight and twenty, whose face was of a rich, warm brown up to the centre of his forehead, and there became white up to his curly chestnut hair, which was a little darker than his crisp, closely cut beard. "Ah, Beck, come over for a ride with us?" said Mr Elthorne. "How is the vicar?" "Quite well, sir." "And Mrs Beck?" "Oh, yes, sir. Alison was good enough to ask me to join your party."