vista of trees at the
great house; 'I can't bear it to go out of the old name.'

'Names may be taken!'

'You don't mean that there's any chance of--Oh! not that horrid Mr.
Fane?'

'Certainly not.'

'Oh!' as a trim black figure appeared walking down the open space.
'That man!'

'I am not authorised to tell any one so, May.'

'Yes, I understand. The wretch, he is taking stock of the place
already!'

'For shame. May, no one has deserved so well of them.'

'I don't care, he got you into that horrid concern.'

'And got me out of it, and found my work for me. I tell you, May, it
is the best thing that could possibly happen to your parish, or the
estate, or my poor uncle either! And you will soon come to a better
mind.'

'Never, while he is to get into your place! Turn back before he comes
within hailing distance.'

Before Mark could do anything towards bringing his sister to a better
mind he was seized on by his stepmother to propound a scheme she had
hatched, namely that, as a mutual benefit, Nurse Poole should be
allowed the consolation of bringing her chief comforter, his little
daughter, down with her on the visit Mrs. Egremont had invited her to
pay at Redcastle. He was very grateful, though doubtful whether
Annaple would accept the offer, for she was missing her children's
company, though they were only at Springfield House, and she had been
with them part of every day. And, sad as this month had been, it had
been such a rest from sheer physical toil that she had gained almost as
much by it as the little one.

There was a general assembly and coffee-drinking in the verandah,--Mr.
Condamine, Blanche, and her two young sisters were all there,--and May
had to be duly civil to Mr. Dutton, though he came back with some
water-lilies that he had fished out of the lake for Nuttie, and she
thought it taking possession. Then the Londoners set forth for the
station, and there Mark, having perhaps had a hint from his wife, saw
Nuttie and Mr. Dutton safely bestowed by Broadbent in an empty
carriage, and then discovered a desire to smoke, and left them to
themselves.

They had not been alone together for more than a second since the
evening of Alwyn's return, and there was a great shyness between them,
which lasted till the first station was past without any irruption of
newcomers. Nothing had been said but a few comments on the
arrangements and the attendants, but probably both were trying to begin
to s