“That she had. But it produced great annoyance; all parties concerned, even those who had lost the ring, would rather have buried it in silence. It was hushed up afterwards. Butterby ought to understand people’s wishes, before he sets to work.” “I wish press-gangs were in fashion!” emphatically uttered Roland. “What a nice prize he’d make!” “I suppose I can depend upon you to take the duty at College this morning?” Mr. Williams said to Arthur, as he was leaving them. “Yes, I shall be out in time for the examination at the Guildhall. The hour fixed is half-past eleven.” “Old villains the magistrates must have been, to remand it at all!” was the concluding comment of Mr. Roland Yorke. CHAPTER XXVI. -- CHECKMATED. Constance Channing proceeded to her duties as usual at Lady Augusta Yorke’s. She drew her veil over her face, only to traverse the very short way that conveyed her thither, for the sense of shame was strong upon her; not shame for Arthur, but for Hamish. It had half broken Constance’s heart. There are times in our every-day lives when all things seem to wear a depressing aspect, turn which way we will. They were wearing it that day to Constance. Apart from home troubles, she felt particularly discouraged in the educational task she had undertaken. You heard the promise made to her by Caroline Yorke, to be up and ready for her every morning at seven. Caroline kept it for two mornings and then failed. This morning and the previous morning Constance had been there at seven, and returned home without seeing either of the children. Both were ready for her when she entered now. “How am I to deal with you?” she said to Caroline, in a sad but affectionate tone. “I do not wish to force you to obey me; I would prefer that you should do it cheerfully.” “It is tiresome to get up early,” responded Caroline. “I can’t wake when Martha comes.” “Whether Martha goes to you at seven, or at eight, or at nine, she has the same trouble to get you up.” “I don’t see any good in getting up early,” cried Caroline. “Do you see any good in acquiring good habits, instead of bad ones?” asked Constance. “But, Miss Channing, why need we learn to get up early? We are ladies. It’s only the poor who need get up at unreasonable hours--those who have their living to earn.” “Is it only the poor who are accountable to God for waste of time, Caroline?” Caroline paused. She did not like to give up her argument. “It’s so very low-lived to get up with the sun. I don’t think real ladies ever do it.” “You think ‘real ladies’ wait until the sun has been up a few hours and warmed the earth for them?” “Y--es,” said Caroline. But it was not spoken very readily, for she had a suspicion that Miss Channing was laughing at her. “May I ask where you have acquired your notions of ‘real ladies,’ Caroline?” Caroline pouted. “Don’t you call Colonel Jolliffe’s daughters ladies, Miss Channing?” “Yes--in position.”