'Indeed they did. Louisa Barnet attacked us about it at school, and I said I wished it had been. Only they mustn't eat peppermint in the train, for it makes mother quite ill.' 'Do you mean that Mrs. Egremont will come?' exclaimed Mr. Dutton. 'Oh yes, she shall. It is not too far, and it will be very good for her. I shall make her.' 'There's young England's filial duty!' said Mary. 'Why, I know what is good for her, and she always does as "I wish."' 'Beneficent despotism!' said Mr. Dutton. 'May I ask if Miss Headworth is an equally obedient subject.' 'Oh! Aunt Ursel is very seldom tiresome.' 'Nuttie! Nuttie! my dear,' and a head with the snows of more than half a century appeared on the other side of the wall, under a cap and parasol. 'I am sorry to interrupt you, but it is cool enough for your mother to go into the town, and I wish you to go with her.' CHAPTER III. HEIR HUNTING. 'And she put on her gown of green, And left her mother at sixteen, To marry Peter Bell!'--WORDSWORTH. In the shrubberies of Monks Horton were walking a lady somewhat past middle age, but full of activity and vigour, with one of those bright faces that never grow old, and with her a young man, a few years over twenty, with a grave and almost careworn countenance. More and more confidential waxed the conversation, for the lady was making fresh acquaintance with a nephew seldom seen since he had been her pet and darling as almost a baby, and he was experiencing the inexpressible charm of tone and manner that recalled the young mother he had lost in early boyhood. 'Then your mind is made up,' she said; 'you are quite right to decide on having a profession; but how does your father take it?' 'He is quite convinced that to repeat my uncle's life, dangling on as heir, would be the most fatal mistake.' 'Assuredly, and all the legal knowledge you acquire is so much in favour of your usefulness as the squire.' 'If I ever am the squire, of which I have my doubts.' 'You expect Mr. Egremont to marry?' 'Not a future marriage, but one in the past.' 'A private marriage! Do you suspect it?' 'I don't suspect it--I know it. I have been hoping to talk the matter over with you. Do you remember our first governess, Miss Headworth?' 'My dear Mark, did I not lose at Pera the charms of your infancy?' 'Then neither my mother nor my grandmother ever wrote to you about her?' 'I do remember that it struck me that immunity from governesses was a compensation for the lack of daughters.' 'Can you tell me no details,' said Mark anxiously. 'Have you no letters? It was about the time when Blanche was born, when we were living at Raxley.' 'I am sorry to say that our roving life prevented my keeping old letters. I have often regretted it. Let me see, there was one who boxed May's ears.'