is own recommendation that the young man
wished to pursue his studies at Paris--he had given him introductions
that would enable him to do so to the greatest advantage, and he hoped
his father would consent. The letter was followed up by one from Tom
himself, as usual too reasonable and authoritative to be gainsaid, with
the same representation of advantages to be derived from a course of
the Parisian hospitals.

'Ah, well! he is after old Fleet's own heart,' said Dr. May, between
pride and mortification. 'I should not grudge poor Fleet some one to
take interest in his old age, and I did not look to see him so warm
about anything. He has not forgotten Calton Hill! But the boy must
have done very well! I say, shall we see him Sir Thomas some of these
days, Ethel, and laugh at ourselves for having wanted, to make him go
round in a mill after our old fashion?'

'You were contented to run round in your mill,' said Ethel, fondly,
'and maybe he will too.'

'No, no, Ethel, I'll not have him persuaded. Easy-going folk, too lazy
for ambition, have no right to prescribe for others. Ambition turned
sour is a very dangerous dose! Much better let it fly off! I mean to
look out of my mill yet, and see Sir Thomas win the stakes. Only I wish
he would come and see us; tell him he shall not hear a word to bother
him about the old practice. People have lived and died at Stoneborough
without a May to help them, and so they will again, I suppose.'

Ethel was very glad to see how her father had made up his mind to what
was perhaps the most real disappointment of his life, but she was
grieved that Tom did not respond to the invitation, and next wrote from
Paris. It was one of his hurried notes, great contrasts to such
elaborate performances as his recent letter. 'Thanks, many thanks to
my father,' he said; 'I knew you would make him see reason, and he
always yields generously. I was too much hurried to come home; could
not afford to miss the trail. I had not time to say before that the
Bank that sent the cheque to Whitford had it from a lodging-house in
town. Landlord had a writ served on S. A.; as he was embarking at
Folkestone, he took out the draft and paid. He knew its import, if
Bramshaw did not. I hope my father was not vexed at my not staying.
There are things I cannot stand, namely, discussions and Gertrude.'

Gertrude was one of the chief cares upon Ethel's mind. She spent many
thoughts upon the child, and even