Another week passed rapidly over, assisted in its flight by two capital runs with the Friarshire hounds and a dinner at a neighboring magnate's, where Wilton made himself marvellously agreeable to Helen Saville, and promised to ride with her next day; but neither at luncheon nor in the house or grounds did he catch a glimpse of Ella Rivers; again she had totally disappeared. Miss Saville did not find Wilton so pleasant a companion, either during their ride or the luncheon which preceded it, as he had been at dinner the day before. The accomplished Miss Walker and her pupil joined the party, but no other junior member of the family. "What an infamous shame," thought Wilton, "not to let that poor boy have a little society!" However, Fortune was not quite inexorable. As Wilton rode up to the door on their return, intending to bid the young ladies under his escort good-by, he became aware of a small figure, with a large head and prominent eyes, standing on the threshold, supported by crutches, while a pony-carriage was just disappearing toward the stables. "What a nuisance!" said Helen to Gertrude. "I wonder what that boy wants?" "Well, Donald, you ought not to stay here after your drive. You will take cold," said Miss Saville. "Never you mind," retorted the boy, in a shrill, resentful voice. "I want to speak to Colonel Wilton." "To me?" said Wilton, coming forward. "Yes, I have asked them all to bring you to see me, and they won't. I believe they'd like to smother me altogether. Will you come and see me and Ella? I want to hear about a battle and lots of things." He spoke with a sort of querulous impetuosity. "I shall be most happy to rub up my recollections for your benefit," said Wilton, good-humoredly, and taking the hand which the little cripple contrived to hold out to him. "When will you come? To-morrow?" "I am afraid I cannot," replied Wilton, remembering an engagement with Moncrief, and speaking with very genuine regret. "Well, the day after?" "Oh, don't tease, Donny," cried Gertrude Saville. "The first time Colonel Wilton comes over to luncheon I will ask him to come and talk to you," said Helen. "Colonel Wilton, will you just ask for me--Master Fergusson! In the old times, I would be 'Master of Brosedale.' I shall never see you if you do not." "Depend on my calling on you," returned Wilton, smiling. "And soon?" "Yes, very soon." Without another word, the unfortunate heir of so much wealth turned and limped into the hall with surprising rapidity. "How annoying!" cried Gertrude. "What an awful bore!" said Helen. "Really, Colonel Wilton, I am quite vexed that he should intrude himself upon you." "Why! I do not see anything vexatious in it." "You are too good. Do you know that boy is the bane of our existence?" "Do you wish me to shoot him?" asked Wilton, laughing. "I really cannot wait to do so at present, so good morning, though closing shades almost compel me to say good night."