“Do you think I care for that? I do not mind who is mistress,” said Lottie, all unaware of her own characteristics. Law was wiser than she was in this respect. He shook his head. “That’s the worst,” he said; “she’ll be mistress--she’ll change everything. Oh, I know Polly well; though I suppose, for decency, I mustn’t say Polly now.” “How is it you know her so well? And how did papa know her?” said Lottie. “I should have thought you never could have met such women. Ah! you told me once about--others. Law! you can’t like company like that; surely, you can’t like company like that! how did you get to know her?” Law was very much discomfited by this sudden question. In the midst of his sympathy and compassion for his sister, it was hard all at once to be brought to book, when he had forgotten the possibility of such a danger. “Well, you know,” he said, “fellows do; I don’t know how it is--you come across some one, and then she speaks to you, and then you’re forced to speak back; or perhaps it’s you that speaks first--it isn’t easy to tell. This was as simple as anything,” Law went on, relieved by the naturalness of his own explanation. “They all work in the same house where Langton lives, my old coach, you know, before I went to old Ashford. I don’t know how the governor got there. Perhaps it was the same way. Going in and out, you know, day after day, why, how could you help it? And when a woman speaks to you, what can you do, but say something? That’s exactly how it was.” “But, Law,” she said, grasping his arm--all this conversation was so much easier in the dark--“Law, you will take care? she said she was not quite sure whether it was to be the father or the son. Ah! a woman who could say that, Law----” “It’s a lie,” said Law, fiercely, “and she knows it. I never thought anything of her--never. It’s a lie, if she were to swear it! Polly! why, she’s thirty, she’s---- I give my word of honour, it’s a lie.” “But, Law! oh, Law dear----” “I know what you’re going to say. I’ll take care of myself; no fear of me getting entangled,” said Law briskly. Then he stopped, and, still favoured by the dark, took her hands in his. “Lottie, it’s my turn now. I know you won’t stand questioning, nor being talked to. But, look here--don’t shilly-shally if you can care for anybody, and he’ll marry you and give you a place of your own--You needn’t jump up as if I had shot you. If you talk about such things to me, I may surely talk to you. And mind what I say. I don’t expect you’ll be able to put up with your life here----” “I hear them stirring downstairs,” said Lottie, drawing her hands out of his hold. “Don’t keep me, don’t hold me, Law. I cannot see her again to-night.” “You won’t give me any answer,” said the lad regretfully. There was real feeling in his voice--“But, Lottie, mind what I say. I don’t believe you’ll be able to put up with it, and if there’s anyone you care for and he’ll marry you----”