‘I shall be there a great deal, no doubt. Business is business, and must be attended to. But you must remember the kind of life I have been leading for the past ten years, little sister, and not expect me to jog down into harness all in a moment. You must give me time, and let me break myself gradually of my roving habits. No doubt in time I shall settle down into a model country squire; but just at first you must not be surprised if I come and go like the Flying Dutchman, a wanderer from force of habit. But you may be quite sure that if you and Aunt Olive are established at Ladywell Manor, my visits there will not be very few nor far between.’ With that Maud had to be content, and indeed it was not difficult, for the idea of becoming the reigning power in Ladywell Manor was in itself like a dream of joy. ‘Oh, Phil, you are a darling! Shall I really be free from Uncle Belassis and Aunt Celia? Shall I really be my own mistress? It seems too good to be true!’ ‘You shall be as fine a lady as you choose, and free from the whole crew of them. I don’t think any of them will care to offend you then.’ Maud laughed a laugh of pure happiness. ‘It’s like a dream or a fairy-tale, isn’t it, Aunt Olive? Fancy us two living in independence and luxury at Ladywell, and with only Phil to bully us! Oh, Phil, it’s such a lovely old place! To-morrow I must take you to see it. You will so like it. I do want to show it to you.’ ‘To-morrow I expect I shall be given over to business and my respected uncle. Why not take me there to-night, Maud? It’s as light as day, now that the moon is up. It isn’t far, is it?’ ‘Only a mile by the footpath through the park—two by the road. Oh, it would be lovely to go to-night! It would look splendid by this light;’ and Maud clasped her hands round his arm closely. ‘But I don’t know if Aunt Celia would let me go.’ Tor shrugged his shoulders, and laughed carelessly. ‘We won’t trouble to consult her as to our movements. Run and get your hat, Maud. I’ll settle Aunt Celia when we get back.’ With a delightful sense of independence, not to say defiance, Maud ran off to do his bidding. ‘My dear boy,’ said little Mrs. Lorraine, when her niece was gone, ‘you must be careful with your sister. She is very high-spirited, and a very little encouragement would make her rebel against all authority; and your uncle and aunt are not used to being opposed.’ ‘So it would appear,’ answered Tor. ‘It is an experience they have yet to learn; and so far as I am able to judge, it will do them a world of good to find they cannot have everything their own way.’ ‘Well, Philip dear, I dare say you are quite right. People do get sadly overbearing when there is nobody to oppose them; though I must not say anything against your uncle, for he has been very kind to me.’ ‘Kind!’ ejaculated Tor. ‘A queer sort of kindness, by all accounts.’ ‘And family quarrels are sad things, dear boy, at best, and often lead to much mischief, which nothing can cure.’