. Brooke himself before I leave my young lady," Dayman
announced.

"Run and fetch your master, Sarah," said Miss Brooke, quickly. "He
cannot have heard the cab."

The white-aproned servant disappeared into the back premises, and
thence, in a moment or two, issued Mr. Caspar Brooke himself, at the
sight of whom Miss Brooke involuntarily frowned and bit her lip. She saw
at one glance that Caspar was in his "study-coat," that his hair was
dishevelled, and that he had just laid down his pipe. These were small
details in themselves, but they meant a good deal. They meant that
Caspar Brooke would not do a single thing, would not go a single step
out of his way, to conciliate the affections of Lady Alice's daughter.
He had never in his life looked more of a Bohemian than he did just
then. And Miss Brooke suspected him of wilful perversity.

The lights swam before Lesley's eyes. The vision of a big, brown-bearded
man, bigger and broader, it seemed to her, than any man she had ever
spoken to before, took away her senses. As he came up to her she
involuntarily shrank back; and when he stooped to kiss her, the novel
sensation of his bristly beard against her face, the strong scent of
tobacco, and the sense that she was unwelcome, all contributed towards
complete self-betrayal. Dizzy from her voyage; faint, sick, and
unhinged, she almost pushed him away from her and sank down on a
hall-chair with a burst of sobbing which she could not control. She was
terribly ashamed of herself next moment; but the next moment was too
late. She had made as bad a beginning as she had it in her power to
make, and no after-apology could alter what was done.

For a moment a dead silence fell on the little group. Miss Brooke heard
her brother mutter something beneath his breath in a very angry tone.
She wondered whether his daughter heard it too. The faithful and
officious Dayman immediately pressed forward with soothing words and
offers of help.

"There, there, my dear young lady, don't take on so. It won't be for
long, remember; and I'll come for you again to take you back to your
mamma----"

"You had better leave her alone, Dayman," said Mr. Brooke, coldly. "She
will probably be more reasonable by and bye."

Lesley was on her feet again in a moment. "I am not unreasonable," she
said distinctly, but with a little catch in her voice; "it is only that
I am tired and upset with the journey--and the sudden light was too much
for me. Give mamma m