"That may be seen at a glance. He can't help it, poor fellow; he would have had it if he could, like anything else that is proper." There was a moment's silence; then the exclamation, "Just look there!" One of the hats was nodding on the box in a perilous manner. "It is _only_ James," said Lady Tyrrell; "as long as it is not the coachman, it matters the less. There's no danger." "You will not keep him, though!" "I don't know. He is much the best looking and handiest of the men; and your page, Master Joshua, is no great acquisition yet." "I wish you would not call him mine; I wish you would send him back to his grandmother. I can't bear his being among those men." "Very complimentary to my household! They are not a bit worse than the company he came from! You don't believe in rural simplicity, eh?" "I believe that taking that boy from his home makes us responsible." "And do I hinder you from catechizing him to your heart's content? or sending him to the school of design?" Again Eleonora was silent. Perhaps the balancing of the footman's head occupied her mind. At any rate, no more was said till the sisters had reached their home. Then, at the last moment, when there was no time left for a reply, Eleonora cleared and steadied her voice, and said, "Camilla, understand two things for truth's sake. First, I mean what I say. Nothing shall ever induce me to marry a man who bets. Next, I never have forgotten Frank Charnock for one moment. If I have been cold and distant to him, it is because I will not draw him near me to be cruelly scorned and disappointed!" "I don't mind the why, if the effect is the same," were Lady Tyrrell's last words, as the door opened. Eleonora's little white feet sped quickly up the steps, and with a hasty good night, she sped across the hall, but paused at the door. "Papa must not be disappointed," she whispered to herself, and dashed her hand over her eyes; and at the moment the lock turned, and a gray head appeared, with a mighty odour of smoke. "Ah! I thought my little Lena would not pass me by! Have you had a pleasant party, my dear? Was young Strangeways there?" She had nestled in his arms, and hoped to avoid notice by keeping her head bent against him, as she hastily responded to his questions; but he detected something. "Eh? Camilla been lecturing? Is that it? You've not been crying, little one? It is all right, you know! You and I were jolly enough at Rockpier; but it was time we were taken in hand, or you would have grown into a regular little nun, among all those black coats." "I wish I were." "Nonsense! You don't know life! You'll tell another story one of these days; and hark childie, when you've married, and saved the old place, you'll keep the old room for the old man, and we'll have our own way again."