ole resulting in a colossal fortune."

"Which the old hunks sticks to like wax," said Syd to himself.

"And of which you ought to be very proud, my dear."

"Oh, I am, auntie. But I say, how was it pa and ma went off to
Australia?"

"Pray do not revive old troubles, my dear. My brother never agreed with
your grandfather. I grieve to say he was very wild, and given to
horse-racing. Then he grievously offended your grandfather in the
marriage he made clandestinely. Let it rest, my dear boy. Papa behaved
very handsomely to John, and gave him ample funds to start a fresh
career at the Antipodes, leaving you to my care--to be my own darling
boy--to make you a true English gentleman; and I feel that I have done
my duty by you."

"Oh, auntie, you are good," said the "dear boy." "I'm sure I try to do
what you wish."

"Always, my darling, with a few exceptions. I have found out that."

"What, auntie?" said the "dear boy," changing colour.

"That my darling is a leetle disposed to be vulgar sometimes."

"Ha!" sighed the lad, with a look of relief.

"But he is going to be as good as gold, and grow into a noble gentleman,
of whom his country will be proud. There, now we understand each other.
Mr Trimmer is late this morning."

"Scissors! How she made me squirm!" muttered the boy, who had risen and
walked to the window as if to hide his emotion with the scented white
handkerchief he drew from his pocket. "He isn't late, auntie--just his
usual time."

"Dear, dear, and your uncle not yet down!"

"Shall I go and rout him out, auntie?"

"No, my dear," said the lady, sternly, "I will speak to him when he
comes down."

"Do, auntie. Tell him he loses all the fresh morning air," said the
boy, demurely, feeling in the breast-pocket of his jacket the while, and
causing a faint crackling sound as of writing-paper, while he noted that
the lady was resuming her perusal of the morning's letters.

Just then the breakfast-room door opened and a pretty little dark-eyed
parlourmaid entered the room.

"Mr Trimmer is in the libery, my lady."

"Show him in here, Jane," said Lady Lisle, without raising her eyes,
"and tell Mark to have the pony-carriage round in half an hour."

"Yes, my lady."

The girl turned to go, her eyes meeting those of the "dear boy," who
favoured her with a meaning wink, receiving by way of reply a
telegraphic wrinkling up of the skin about a saucy little retrousse
nose.

"Little minx," said