the antiquarians, and do something to you--kill you, I think; unless some weak-minded person like myself were to interfere.” “I shall never put myself in danger,” he said, “though perhaps I am not such a fanatic about Whiteladies as you others.” “Don’t!” said Sophy, raising her hand as if to stop his mouth. “If you say a word more I shall hate you. It is small, to be sure; and if you should have a very large family when you marry”--she went on, with a laugh--“but the Austins never have large families; that is one part of the curse, I suppose your Aunt Augustine would say! but for my part, I hate large families, and I think it is very grand to have a curse belonging to us. It is as good as a family ghost. What a pity that the monk and the nun don’t walk! But there _is_ something in the great staircase. Did you ever see it? I never lived in Whiteladies, or I should have tried to see what it was.” “Did you never live at Whiteladies? I thought when we were children--” “Never for more than a day. The old ladies hate us. Ask us now, Bertie, there’s a darling. Well! he will be a darling if he asks us. It is the most delightful old house in the world, and I want to go.” “Then I ask you on the spot,” said Herbert. “Am I a darling now? You know,” he added in a lower tone, as they went on, and separated from the others, “it was as near as possible being yours. Two years ago no one supposed I should get better. You must have felt it was your own!” “Not once,” said Sophy. “Papa’s, perhaps--but what would that have done for us? Daughters marry and go away--it never would have been ours; and Mrs. Farrel-Austin won’t have a son. Isn’t it provoking? Oh, she is only our step-mother, you know--it does not matter what we say. Papa could beat her; but I am so glad, so glad,” cried Sophy, with aglow of smiles, “that instead of papa, or that nasty little French boy, Bertie, it is you, our cousin, whom we are fond of!--I can’t tell you how glad I am.” “Thanks,” said Herbert, clasping the hand she held out to him, and holding it. It seemed so natural to him that she should be glad. “Because,” said Sophy, looking at him with her pretty blue eyes, “we have been sadly neglected, Kate and I. We have never had any one to advise us, or tell us what we ought to do. We both came out too young, and were thrown on the world to do what we pleased. If you see anything in us you don’t like, Bertie, remember this is the reason. We never had a brother. Now, you will be as near a brother to us as any one could be. We shall be able to go and consult you, and you will help us out of our scrapes. I did so hope, before you came, that we should be friends; and now I _think_ we shall,” she said, giving a little pressure to the hand which still held hers. Herbert was so much affected by this appeal that it brought the tears to his eyes.