down at the theatre. Who are going? My
girls, Lady Alice, and Mrs. Liddell? Who is to be their escort? Colonel
Ormonde?"

He glanced across the table. Mrs. Liddell sent no glance in his
direction; she again devoted her attention to Kirby.

"No, thank you. To be intensely amused from two to six is more than I
can stand; besides, I hope to meet you at Lady Maclean's this
afternoon."

"I have an engagement, a business engagement at three," said Errington;
"but I shall be happy to call for these ladies and see them home."

"You need not take that trouble," said Mrs. Burnett. "My son will be in
the theatre later, and take charge of them; but there is still a place
in the box. Will you go, Mr. Kirby?"

"Oh, pray do!" cried Mrs. Liddell. "You will be sure to be amused; a
matinee of this kind is great fun. There is singing and dancing and
acting and recitations of all kinds." She spoke in her liveliest manner
and her sweetest tones.

"You are very good. I have not been in a theatre since I arrived; so if
you really have a place for me, I shall be most happy to accompany you."

"That's settled. Go and put on your hats, my dears," said Mrs. Burnett;
and her daughters, with Lady Alice, left the room.

"Well, Mrs. Liddell, have you persuaded your handsome sister-in-law to
join our party on Thursday?" asked Ormonde.

"I have really had no time to speak much to her. An old uncle of hers,
as rich as a Jew and a perfect miser, sent his lawyer for her this
morning. I suppose he is going to make her his heiress. I hope they will
give a share to my poor little boys. I am going to take them to ask a
blessing from their aged relative, I assure you."

"Oh yes, by George! you try and hold on to him. The little fellows ought
to have the biggest share, of course, as the _nephew's_ children. Why,
it would change your position altogether if your boys had ten or fifteen
thou. between them."

"Or apiece," said Mrs. Liddell, carelessly. She was immensely amused by
the Colonel's tone of deep interest. "You may be very sure I shall do my
best. I know the value of money."

"May I ask where this Mr. Liddell resides?" asked Mr. Errington, joining
them, with a bow to the young widow.

"I really do not know, though he is my uncle-in-law. Pray do you know
him?"

"No; I know of him, but we are not personally acquainted."

"And is he not supposed to be very rich?"

"That I cannot say; but I have an idea that he is well off."

With anoth