“You sit up much longer than that?” “Not often. These light days, I sometimes do not sit up half so long; I get up in the morning, instead. Constance, you look grave enough for a judge!” “And you, laughing enough to provoke me. Suppose I tell papa of this habit of yours, and get him to forbid it?” “Then, my dear, you would work irreparable mischief,” he replied, becoming grave in his turn. “Were I to be prevented from doing as I please in my chamber in this house, I must find a room elsewhere, in which I should be my own master.” “Hamish!” “You oblige me to say it, Constance. You and Judy must lay your heads together upon some other grievance, for, indeed, for this particular one there is no remedy. She is an old goose, and you are a young one.” “Is it right that we should submit to the risk of being set on fire?” “My dear, if that is the point, I’ll have a fire-escape placed over the front door every night, and pay a couple of watchmen to act as guardians. Constance!” again dropping his tone of mockery, “you know that you may trust me better than that.” “But, Hamish, how do you spend your time, that you cannot complete your books in the day?” “Oh,” drawled Hamish, “ours is the laziest office! gossiping and scandal going on in it from morning till night. In the fatigue induced by that, I am not sure that I don’t take a nap, sometimes.” Constance could not tell what to make of him. He was gazing at her with the most perplexing expression of face, looking ready to burst into a laugh. “One last word, Hamish, for I hear Judith calling to you. Are you obliged to do this night-work?” “I am.” “Then I will say no more; and things must go on as it seems they have hitherto done.” Arthur came running upstairs, and Hamish met him at the chamber door. Arthur, who appeared strangely agitated, began speaking in a half-whisper, unconscious that his sister was within. She heard every word. “Judy says some young man wants you, Hamish! I fear it may be the fellow to serve the writ. What on earth is to be done?” “Did Judy say I was at home?” “Yes; and has handed him into the study, to wait. Did you not hear her calling to you?” “I can’t--see him,” Hamish was about to say. “Yes, I will see him,” he added after a moment’s reflection. “Anything rather than have a disturbance which might come to my mother’s ears. And I suppose if he could not serve it now, he would watch for me in the morning.” “Shall I go down first, and hear what he has to say?” “Arthur, boy, it would do no good. I have brought this upon myself, and must battle with it. A Channing cannot turn coward!” “But he may act with discretion,” said Arthur. “I will speak to the man, and if there’s no help for it, I’ll call you.”