"And pray what is this?" said Trevor, glancing at the salver the girl carried, bearing a good-sized silver flagon, with chased lid, and a snowy napkin placed through the handle. "If you please, sir, it's a pint of new milk beat up with three eggs, three glasses of sherry, and some lump sugar," said the girl. "And who's it for?" said Trevor. "For you and the gentleman, sir; Mrs Lloyd said the sea air must have made you faint." "Well," said Trevor, "hand it to Mr Pratt, there." The girl bore the flagon to Pratt, who took it, but emitted such a volume of strong tobacco smoke that the girl sneezed, and choked, and then looked more scarlet and confused than ever. "I beg your pardon," said Pratt; and then he raised the flagon to his lips, and took a long draught, wiping the brim afterwards with the napkin. "Splendid, old fellow!" he said. "Take it to--your master." "And pray who may you be, my dear?" said Trevor, looking critically at the girl, but relieving her from his gaze the next moment, in compassion for her confusion. "If you please, sir, I'm Aunt Lloyd's niece," said the girl. "And are you anything here--housemaid, or--?" "Oh no, sir, if you please. I am here on a long visit to my aunt; and she said I was to help her." "Well," said Trevor, setting down the flagon, "tell her the milk was excellent; but she is not to send anything in again without I ring for it. Well, what's the matter?" The girl was looking in a pitiful way at him, and she remained silent for a few moments, when he spoke again. "Is anything the matter?" "Must--must I tell her that, sir?" "Yes. Why not?" said Trevor. "Because--because, if you please, sir, I..." The girl did not finish, but uttered a sob, and ran out of the room. "Cornwall promises to be a queer place," said Pratt; "but that stuff was heavenly--did you finish it, Dick?" "Not quite, I think," said Trevor. "And you sent it away. Oh, Dick!" The little maid had hardly got outside the door, when Mrs Lloyd came across the hall, followed at a short distance by the butler, rubbing his hands, smiling feebly, and looking anxious. "Crying?" said Mrs Lloyd, sharply. "You little goose!" "I--I--couldn't help it, aunt, indeed," sobbed the girl. "'Sh! not a sound," said Mrs Lloyd, sharply; and she caught the girl by the arm. "Did he drink the milk?" "Yes, aunt." "Did that other gentleman take any?" "Yes, aunt--a lot." "As if he couldn't come home without bringing such a pack with him. Now come into my room, and I'll talk to you, madam. Lloyd, take that waiter." She led the way into the housekeeper's room, as her husband obediently bore off the flagon to his pantry; and then, shutting the door, she took her seat in a stiff, horse-hair-covered chair, looking as hard and prim as the presses and cupboards around. "Now listen to me," she said, harshly. "Yes, aunt." "I'm not going to boast; but what have I done for you?" "Paid for my schooling, aunt, and kept me three years."