“I 'm quite ready to own he 'came out' strong in the confusion,” said Charles, half unwillingly; “but it was just the sort of incident that such a man was sure to figure well in.” “Show me the man who is active and ready-minded in his benevolence, and I 'll show you one who has not to go far into his heart to search for generous motives. I maintain it, Quackinboss is a fine fellow!” There was almost a touch of anger in Sir William's voice as he said these words, as though he would regard any disparagement of the American as an offence to himself. “I think Charley is a little jealous,” said May, with a sly malice; “he evidently wanted to carry the wounded lady himself, when that great giant interposed, and, seizing the prize, walked away as though he were only carrying a baby.” “I fancied it was the tutor was disappointed,” said Charles; “and the way he devoted his cares to the little girl, when deprived of the mamma, convinced me he was the party chiefly interested.” “Which was the tutor?” asked May, hastily. “You don't mean the man with all the velvet on his coat?” “No, no; that was Mr. O'Shea, the Irish M.P., who, by the way, paid _you_ the most persevering attention.” “A hateful creature, insufferably pretentious and impertinent! The tutor was, then, the pale young man in black?” “A nice, modest fellow,” broke in Sir William; “and a fine boy that young Marquis of Agincourt. I 'm glad you asked him up here, Charles. He is to come on Tuesday, is he not?” “Yes, I said Tuesday, because I can't get my tackle to rights before that; and I promised to make him a fly-fisher. I owe him the reparation.” “You included the tutor, of course, in your invitation?” asked his father. “No. How stupid! I forgot him altogether.” “Oh! that was too bad,” said May. “Indeed,” cried Charles, turning towards her with a look of such malicious significance that she blushed deeply, and averted her head. “Let us invite them all up here for Tuesday, May,” said Sir William. “It would be very unfair if they were to carry away only a disagreeable memory of this visit. Let us try and efface the first unhappy impression.” “All right,” said Charles, “and I'll dash off a few lines to Mr. Layton, I think his name is, to say that we expect he will favor us with his company for a few days here. Am I not generosity itself, May?” said he, in a low whisper, as he passed behind her chair. A blush still deeper than the first, and a look of offended pride, were her only answer. “I must go in search of these good people's cards, for I forget some of their names,” said Charles; “though I believe I remember the important ones.” This last sally was again directed towards May, but she, apparently, did not hear it. “Who knows but your patient upstairs may be well enough to meet her friends, May?” said Sir William. “Perhaps so. I can't tell,” answered she, vaguely; for she had but heard him imperfectly, and scarcely knew what she was replying.