When she heard what the Mays had to propose, she was enchanted, she had no doubt of Henry's willing consent, and felt that Leonard's triumph and independence were secured without the sacrifice of prospects, which she had begun to regard as a considerable price for his dignity. But Dr. May was not so successful with Henry Ward. He did not want to disoblige his uncle, who had taken a fancy to Leonard, and might do much for the family; he thought his father would have changed his views of the uncle and nephew had he known them better, he would not accept the opinion of a stranger against people of his own family, and he had always understood the position of an usher to be most wretched, nor would he perceive the vast difference between the staff of the middle school and of the private commercial academy. He evidently was pleased to stand upon his rights, to disappoint Dr. May, and perhaps to gratify his jealousy by denying his brother a superior education. Yet in spite of this ebullition, which had greatly exasperated Dr. May, there was every probability that Henry's consent might be wrung out or dispensed with, and plans of attack were being arranged at the tea-table, when a new obstacle in the shape of a note from Leonard himself. 'My Dear Aubrey, 'I am very much obliged to Dr. May and Mr. Cheviot for their kind intentions; but I have quite settled with Mr. Axworthy, and I enter on my new duties next week. I am sorry to leave our corps, but it is too far off, and I must enter the Whitford one. 'Yours, 'L. A. Ward.' 'The boy is mad with pride and temper,' said the Doctor. 'And his sister has made him so,' added Ethel. 'Shall I run down to Bankside and tell him it is all bosh?' said Aubrey, jumping up. 'I don't think that is quite possible under Henry's very nose,' said Ethel. 'Perhaps they will all be tamer by to-morrow, now they have blown their trumpets; but I am very much vexed.' 'And really,' added Mr. Cheviot, 'if he is so wrong-headed, I begin to doubt if I could recommend him.' 'You do not know how he has been galled and irritated,' said the general voice. 'I wonder what Mrs. Pugh thinks of it,' presently observed the Doctor. 'Ah!' said Ethel, 'Mrs. Pugh is reading "John of Anjou".' 'Indeed!' said the Doctor; 'I suspected the wind was getting into that quarter. Master Henry does not know his own interest: she was sure to take part with a handsome lad.' 'Why have you never got Mrs. Pugh to speak for him?' said Mary. 'I am sure she would.' 'O, Mary! simple Mary, you to be Ave's friend, and not know that her interposition is the only thing wanting to complete the frenzy of the other two!'