besides hospitably resting tired clergymen and
their wives in his pleasant quiet house.

In the spring Mr. Egremont was laid up with the worst rheumatic attack
he had yet had, in consequence of yielding to the imperious will of his
son, who had insisted on standing in a bleak corner to see the Life
Guards pass by. On this occasion Nuttie did not prove herself the
heaven-born nurse that the true heroine ought to be, but was extremely
frightened, and altogether dependent on Gregorio, who knew all about
the symptoms, and when to send for the doctor and a garde-malade.
Gregorio always talked French to Nuttie when he felt himself in the
ascendant, as he certainly was at present; but he became much less
gracious when he heard that Mrs. William Egremont might be expected,
declaring that madame would only excite his master, and that her
presence was quite unnecessary. Her coming had been volunteered, but
it was a great boon to Ursula, who was thus helped out in many
perplexities, although Mrs. Egremont was a great deal at her
step-son's, and neither lady was of much avail in the sick-room, during
the stress of the illness. It was never actually dangerous, but there
was great suffering and much excitement, and for four or five days the
distress and anxiety were considerable. After this passed off Ursula
was surprised to find her company preferred to that of her aunt. She
was a better souffre-douleur, was less of a restraint, and was besides
his regular reader and amanuensis, so that as the force of the attack
abated, he kept her a good deal in his room during the latter part of
the day, imparting scraps of intelligence, skimming the papers for him,
and reading his letters.

There was a lease to be signed, and, as soon as might be, Mr. Bulfinch,
the Redcastle solicitor, brought it up, and had to be entertained at
luncheon. While he was waiting in the drawing-room for Mr. Egremont to
be made ready for him, he looked with deep interest on the little heir,
whom Ursula presently led off to the other end of the room to the hoard
of downstair toys; and an elaborate camp was under construction, when
by the fireside, the Canoness inquired in a low confidential tone, 'May
I ask whether you came about a will?'

'No, Mrs. Egremont. I wish I were. It is only about the lease of
Spinneycotes farm.'

'Then there is none?'

'None that I am aware of. None has ever been drawn up by us. Indeed, I
was wishing that some influence could