noticed it at last, and
professed himself jealous: in fact he was a little bit jealous, although
he did not love Ethel overmuch. But he had a pride of possession in her
which would not allow him to look with equanimity on the prospect of her
being made love to by anybody else.

Ethel enjoyed the attentions, and enjoyed Oliver's jealousy, in her
usual spirit of childlike gaiety. She was quite assured of Oliver's
affection for her now; and she looked forward with shy delight to the
day of her wedding, which had been fixed for the twentieth of March.

Meanwhile, Oliver was devoured with secret anxiety. For what had become
of Francis, and when would he appear to demand the money which had been
promised to him on the day when the marriage should take place?

CHAPTER XXIV.

MR. BROOKE'S DESIRES.

Lady Alice's movements were not without interest to Caspar Brooke,
although Lesley did not suspect the fact. It was quite a surprise to her
when he entered the library one day, with apparently no other object
than that of saying abruptly,

"What is your mother going to do, Lesley?"

"To do?" said Lesley, flushing slightly and looking astonished.

"Yes"--impatiently. "Where is she going to live? What will become of
her? Do you want to go to her? I wish to hear what you know about her
arrangements."

He planted himself on the hearth-rug in what might be termed an
aggressive attitude--really the expression of some embarrassment of
feeling. It certainly seemed hard to him at that moment to have to ask
his daughter these questions.

"I think," said Lesley, with downcast eyes, "that she is trying to find
a house to suit her in Mayfair."

"Mayfair. Then half her income will go in rent and taxes. Will she live
there alone?"

"Yes. At least--unless--until----"

"Until you join her: I understand. Will"--and then he made a long pause
before continuing--"if she wants you to join her at once; and you wish
to go, don't let this previous arrangement stand in the way. I shall not
interfere."

His curtness, his abruptness, would once have startled and terrified
Lesley. She had of late grown so much less afraid of him, that now she
only lifted her eyes, with a proud, grieving look in them, and said,

"Do you want me to go away, then?"

"_Want_ you to go? Certainly not, child," and Mr. Brooke stretched out
his hand, and drew her to him with a caressing gesture. "No: I like to
have you here. But I thought you wanted to go to