"I should be very glad of it," Mrs. West replied, respectfully. "Why didn't you ask it, then?" "I didn't dare." "Didn't dare, eh? Am I an ogress? Should I have eaten you if you had asked my advice?" demanded the irascible old lady, shortly. "Oh, no, Lady Lancaster; but I shouldn't have presumed to trouble you so far," Mrs. West replied, in her quiet way that was so strange a contrast to the other's irritability. "Very well. I've presumed to lay a plan for you," replied the grim old lady. "A plan for me!" Mrs. West echoed, vaguely. "Yes. You shall not go away from Lancaster Park. You shall have the child here." "Here!" cried the housekeeper, doubtful if she were in her proper senses. "Why, do you echo my words so stupidly, West?" "I beg your pardon. I was doubtful if I understood your words rightly. I thought you disliked children," Mrs. West answered, confusedly. "I did, and _do_," tartly. "But, for all that, I had sooner have Dick West's child here than for you to leave me. You could keep her in your own rooms, couldn't you? I needn't be bothered with her society?" "Certainly," faltered Mrs. West, in a tremor of joy. She was very glad that she was not to leave Lancaster Park, where she had dwelt in peace and comfort for sixteen years--ever since her faithful, hard-working John had died and left her a lone widow with only fifteen pounds between her and the world. She had thought herself a very fortunate woman when she secured this place, and her heart bounded with joy at the thought that she was to stay on in peace, in spite of the incumbrance of her brother-in-law's orphan child. "Oh, Lady Lancaster, I don't know how to thank you!" she cried. "I shall be very glad not to go away from the Park. I will keep Leonora very close, indeed I will, if you allow me to bring her here." "Well, she shall be brought here. Of course I rely on you to keep her out of my way. I dislike the ways of children," said the hard old lady, who had never had any children herself, and who was an old maid at heart. "That is all I ask of you. Don't have her around under my feet, and I shall never remember that she is here." "Thanks, my lady. And when am I to go and fetch my niece?" inquired the housekeeper, timidly. "You're not to fetch her at all. I thought I had told you that already," tartly. Mrs. West's eyes grew large and round with dismay. "Indeed, I thought you said I should have her here," she exclaimed. "So I did; I said she should be brought here, but I didn't say you should go to New York and fetch her home!" "But Dick wished me to go," perplexedly; "and how is she to come if I do not go?" "She may come with Lord Lancaster the first of June. I dare say he can go and get her all right." "But it seems as if I ought to go myself. Besides, Lord Lancaster mightn't like it, indeed," whimpered poor Mrs. West.