the underwood, and were many times tripped by the roots of felled
trees. In answer to my remarks on this whim of hers, she replied--

"People say my education was neglected, which is not quite correct. I
am not altogether a child of the wilderness. In fact, much trouble
was given to my training, only it was not of the right sort. I was
brought up as a boy. As you know already, my mother died a few days
after my birth, and Rolf's sister was my nurse. Her own child had
died, and I replaced it for her. She had a blind affection for me,
almost bordering on fanaticism; she obeyed all my wishes, giving as
an excuse to any remonstrances that she was the only person in the
world who loved me. This was an exaggeration, for my grandfather, who
lived in the same house with us, made much of me, though it is true
Sir John Mordaunt took little notice of his child. He had previously
had a son called Francis, like myself, on whom all his hopes were
fixed during the six months the child lived. I was a disappointment,
as he wished to have a son to take the place of the lost infant; and
he received me with so little welcome that I have heard the last hours
of my poor mother's life were embittered by this knowledge. My nurse,
who could no longer bear the indifference with which he treated me,
one day took me into his room, to show him what a healthy, strong
child I was. 'Indeed,' she said, 'it might have been a boy.'

"Rolf has since told me that my father seemed suddenly struck by an
idea. From that day forth he devoted much attention to my training,
and this has made me what I am. Under pretext of hygiene and English
custom, I was dressed in a loose costume, 'a boy's suit,' as my nurse
called it, and I was taught all kinds of gymnastic exercises. They
hardened me against heat and cold like a young Spartan. Rolf taught
me the military exercise, and made me quite an adept at fencing,
and all the young officers who dined with us were invited to have a
bout with me. Out of complaisance to papa, they allowed me to come
off victor; and Sir John was sure to reward me splendidly for any
praise I won. At this time grandfather held the rank of Major, and
I suppose it was an idea of Rolf's to give me the title of 'Little
Major,' with which my father was so pleased that he often addressed
me by this sobriquet, and so gave it the stamp of his authority. I
well remember, on one occasion, an officer, evidently a stranger,
addressed me as Miss Francis,