"You are right, Bruce; it is certainly desirable for you to go down to Wiltshire to-day to make any needful arrangements, and prepare for our arrival to-morrow," said Mr. Trevor to his son on the following morning, when the family were at the breakfast-table. "New servants will need verbal directions; and you will see to the unpacking of the furniture which I have sent down from this place, and to the most suitable disposal of it in the several rooms of Myst Court." The gentleman rolled up his breakfast-napkin, and slipped it into its ring. "Your train starts at 10.30," he added, as he rose from his seat. "Is Vibert to go with me?" inquired Bruce, glancing at his brother, who had, as usual, come down late, and was still engaged with his anchovies and muffin. "I do not think that Vibert would give you much help," observed Mr. Trevor. "No help at all," exclaimed Vibert quickly. "It may be just in Bruce's line to order and direct, see that there are enough of pots and pans in the kitchen, meat in the larder, and fires all over the house; but as for me--" "You think it enough to eat the food and enjoy the fire," observed the captain drily. "And I positively must go to Albert Hall to-night; the Nairns have asked me to make one of their party, and I really could not disappoint them," continued Vibert. "It is quite necessary that I should have a little amusement before going to bury myself in the wilds of Wiltshire. As Moore the poet sings,-- 'To-night at least, to-night be gay, Whate'er to-morrow brings!'" "That's fair enough," observed the indulgent father. Bruce exchanged a glance with his uncle which conveyed the unuttered thought of both: "It is scarcely fair that one brother should have all the trouble and the other all the amusement." Vibert noticed the look, and laughed. "Duty first--pleasure afterwards--that's the motto taught to all good little children!" he cried. "Bruce, you are the elder, and like to be first, so you naturally pair off with duty, whilst I am modest enough to be quite contented with pleasure." Mr. Trevor smiled at the jest, though he shook his bald head in gentle reproof. Then turning to his brother-in-law, he observed, "Edward, I have an early engagement in London, and must be off to the station. I am afraid that I shall not find you here on my return." "I also start early," said the captain. "Emmie has ordered the conveyance to be at the door at ten. I must therefore wish you good-bye now, thanking you for my pleasant visit to Summer Villa, and hoping next spring to find you all well and happy in your new home." The brothers-in-law cordially shook hands and parted, Mr. Trevor going off to the station, as usual, on foot.