dant, and she had the general
management, even of the other men-servants. The Canoness might well
say it had turned out better than she expected.

And Nuttie had become more womanly, and had acquired the indefinable
polish given by a London season. She had learnt the art of
conversation, and could make herself agreeable to her uncle, or to any
one else who came in her way. Even May allowed that she had something
in her, and cultivated her more than before; but, on the other hand,
even the Rectory could perceive that there was now an absolute
alienation between her and her father, and what might before have been
fear had become dislike. If she had to refer to him, especially if her
plans for herself or her mother were crossed, there was always a tone
of bitterness or of sarcasm about her; and her greater boldness and
freedom of speech would occasionally manifest itself towards him. This
was not indeed often, since not only did his cool contempt make her
come off the worst in the encounters, but the extreme distress they
gave to her mother made her refrain whenever her temper, or what she
thought her conscience, would let her; but still there was always a
danger which kept poor Alice on thorns whenever there was a possible
difference of schemes or opinions.

Mrs. William Egremont was seriously considering of representing to
Ursula that her conduct was bad taste, bad policy, and, moreover, was
doing her mother's spirits and health serious harm; but it was a
delicate matter in which to meddle, and the good lady could not make up
her mind how far to surrender her brother-in-law's character and allow
a partial justification to Ursula. She was a cautious woman, and
waited and watched her opportunities.

In the beginning of October Mr. and Mrs. Egremont were invited to a
great shooting party at Sir James Jerningham's. The invitation did not
include Ursula. Perhaps she had never dawned on their hostess's
imagination; perhaps it was that Lady Jerningham was well known to
dislike girls, or any one who might absorb young men's attention. At
any rate the omission was a cause of thankfulness to the party
concerned, and she did not neglect to worry her mother by a protest
against keeping such company as would be met at Waldicotes.

Alice smiled a little faintly and said, 'I don't think it hurts me, my
dear; I don't understand half of what they talk about, and they are
always kind to me.'

'I don't think you ought to go a