"Your legal adviser regards it as impossible that you should come over from America and quarrel with your mother's family;--your only family, in point of fact. If this affair is fought to a finish you will feel like leaving your aunt's house." "I shouldn't have to wait for that feeling," said Robinette irrepressibly. "Aunt de Tracy would have it first!" "In such an event I could and would stand by you, naturally." "_Would_ you?" cried Robinette glowing instantly like a jewel. Lavendar looked at her in amazement. "Pray what do you take me for? On whose side could I, should I be, my dear--my dear Mrs. Loring? But to keep to business. In the event stated above, neither my father nor I could very well continue to have charge of the estate. That is a small matter, but increases the difficulties, owing to a long friendship dating back to the Admiral's time. Then we have Carnaby. Carnaby, my dear Mrs. Loring, belongs to you. Do you want to give him up? He adores you and you will have an unbounded influence on him, if you choose to exercise it." "How can I influence Carnaby--in America?" This was a blow, but Lavendar made no sign. "You may not always be in America," he said. "Now why not let Mrs. de Tracy sell the land and cottage and plum tree in the ordinary course of things? Oh, how I wish _I_ could buy the blessed thing!" he exclaimed, parenthetically. "Oh! how I wish _I_ could buy the plum tree, and keep it, always blossoming, in my morning-room!" sighed Robinette. "But unfortunately, Waller R. A. will buy the plum tree, confound him! Now, just after Mrs. de Tracy has definitely sold the premises and all their appurtenances, suppose you, in your prettiest and most docile way (docility not being your strong point!) ask your aunt if she has any objection to your taking care of Mrs. Prettyman during the few years remaining to her. Meantime keep her from irritating Mrs. de Tracy, and make the poor old dear happy with plans for her future. If you are short on docility you are long on making people happy!" "Never did I hear such an argument! It would make Macduff fall into the arms of Macbeth; it would tranquillize the Kilkenny cats themselves! I'll run in and apologize abjectly to my thrice guilty aunt, then I'll reward myself by going over to Wittisham." "If you'll take the ferry over, I'd like to come and fetch you if I may. That shall be my reward." "Reward for what?" "For giving you advice very much against my personal inclinations. Courses of action founded entirely on policy do not appeal to me very strongly." XX THE NEW HOME