“I do not think so at all, Miss Duncan,” replied he, smiling quietly; “my housekeeper, I am afraid, is a vast deal too fine a lady to enter into such schemes with the right spirit; it requires a certain degree of refined tact, the offspring only of a really elegant and generous mind, to do these things without hurting the feelings of those who receive the benefit. Mrs. Gainsborough, I feel sure, would put on a condescending and self-satisfied air, which would affront all the mothers, frighten the little girls, and probably bring on a quarrel with the school-mistress herself.” “Why do you keep so uncompromising a character, then?” demanded Mr. Duncan; “a bachelor like you, ought to have some one who can give away cloaks or any thing else, without fatal consequences to the recipients.” “I have been wishing to change for some time,” replied Charles Huyton; “I know exactly the character which would suit me; can estimate to a nicety the advantages of truth, simplicity, steadiness, and gentleness, combined with benevolence, charity, humility, and a universal desire of making others happy.” Mr. Duncan laughed. “Content yourself with those characters in a wife, Charles,” said he; “do not expect romantic perfection in a housekeeper; lower your estimate, or you will go unsuited.” “I shall remain as I am till I do find them; but indeed it is only under one circumstance that I intend to change at all; the housekeeper I seek, my dear sir, will, as you suggest, be also my wife; till then, Mrs. Gainsborough may rule supreme.” “Except over cloaks and school-girls, it appears,” replied Mr. Duncan; “and those Hilary is to undertake instead.” “If Miss Duncan will do me that favor,” replied he; “but not if you do not like,” he added in a lower voice, coming close to the table where she was working. “Then I advise you, Hilary, to make your calculations of yards and quarters,” said Mr. Duncan, rising as he spoke, and preparing to leave the room. “I am going to ride into the town to-day; and could order patterns sent out for you and Mr. Huyton to inspect and settle on, if you please.” He went out as he spoke, and Hilary was left alone with her lover. CHAPTER V. “For she was passing weary of his love.” ISEULT OF BRITTANY. Hilary looked up from her needle-work with a trembling heart, but a face of calm determination. She had made up her mind to speak. “Mr. Huyton, this will not do; this must not be.” “What, dear Miss Duncan?” sitting down close beside her as he spoke. “I can not allow this; you must not suppose that if my father knew what has passed, he would act as he does now. He would see as plainly as I do, the impropriety of my undertaking what is done avowedly for such motives.” “Impropriety! nay, you must not put it so strongly; surely there is nothing improper in my assisting to clothe the same children as you do; or even in my caring for them because they are objects of interest to you!”