thought they were in the study at Verner's Pride."

"I brought them home a day or two ago," replied Lionel. "Some alteration
was required, and I thought I would do it quietly here."

"You are a rare--I suppose if I say 'steward' I shall offend your pride,
Lionel? 'Bailiff' would be worse. If real stewards were as faithful and
indefatigable as you, landlords might get on better than they do. You
can't think how he plagues me with his business details, Miss Tempest."

"I can," said Lady Mary freely. "I think he is terribly conscientious."

"All the more so, that he is not going to be a steward long," answered
Lionel in a tone through which ran a serious meaning, light as it was.
"The time is approaching when I shall render up an account of my
stewardship, so far as Verner's Pride is concerned."

"What do you mean by that?" cried John Massingbird.

"I'll tell you to-morrow," answered Lionel.

"I'd like to know now, if it's all the same to you, sir," was John's
answer. "You are not going to give up the management of Verner's Pride?"

"Yes, I am," replied Lionel. "I should have resigned it when my wife
died, but that--that--Decima wished me to remain in Deerham until her
marriage," he concluded after some perceptible hesitation.

"What has Deerham done to you that you want to quit it?" asked John
Massingbird.

"I would have left Deerham years ago, had it been practicable," was the
remark of Lionel.

"I ask you why?"

"Why? Do you think Deerham and its reminiscences can be so pleasant to
me that I should care to stop in it, unless compelled?"

"Bother reminiscences!" rejoined Mr. Massingbird. "I conclude you make
believe to allude to the ups and downs you have had in regard to
Verner's Pride. _That's_ not the cause, Lionel Verner--if you do want to
go away. You have had time to get over that. Perhaps some lady is in the
way? Some cross-grained disappointment in that line? Have you been
refusing to marry him, Lady Mary?"

Lady Mary threw her laughing blue eyes full in the face of the
questioner. "He never asked me, Mr. Massingbird."

"No!" said John.

"No," said she, the lips laughing now, as well as the eyes. "In the old
days--I declare I don't mind letting out the secret--in the old days
before he was married at all, mamma and Lady Verner contrived to let me
know, by indirect hints, that Lionel Verner might be expected
to--to--solicit the honour of my becoming his wife. How I laughed behind
their backs! It