couldn't be. And I am sure he will be
disappointed if Sydney does not get at least an exhibition, although he
tries to pretend that he will not mind."

"If he does not get it this year, he will be the surer of it next time."

"Yes," said Lettice rather doubtfully. "But I wish papa were not quite
so anxious."

"Did he go to Cambridge with Sydney?"

"Yes, and stayed for a day or two; but he said he was rather glad to get
home again--there had been so many changes since he was there."

"Here he comes," said Brooke, turning round.

The rector was a dignified-looking man, with a tall figure, handsome
features, and hair and beard which had of late been growing very grey.
He greeted Dalton cordially, and at once began to speak of his hopes and
expectations for his son. To all of these Dalton responded
good-humoredly. "Sydney has plenty of brains: he is is sure to do well,"
he said.

"Oh, I don't know--I don't know. I've been his only tutor, and I may not
have laid the foundations with sufficient care. I shall not be at all
surprised if he fails. Indeed"--with a transparent affectation of
indifference--"I shall not be sorry to have him back for another year.
He is not quite eighteen, you know. And Lettice will be glad to have him
again."

"But I want him to succeed!" said Lettice eagerly.

"Of course you do. And he _will_ succeed," said Brooke; an assurance
which caused her to flash a glad look of gratitude to him in reply.

"Lettice has been Sydney's companion in his studies," said Mr. Campion,
patting her hand gently with his long white fingers. "She has been very
industrious and has got on very well, but I daresay she will be pleased
to have a holiday when he is gone."

"Yes, I daresay," said Brooke; and then, looking at Lettice, he saw the
manifestation of some strong feeling which he did not understand. The
girl flushed hotly and withdrew her hand from her father's arm. The
tears suddenly came into her eyes.

"I never wanted a holiday," she said, in a hurt tone.

"No, no, you were always a good girl," returned her father absently--his
eyes had wandered away from her to the high-road beyond the glebe. "But
of course there is a limit to a girl's powers; she can't compete with a
boy beyond a certain point. Is not that a cab, Lettice? Surely it must
be Sydney, and he has came at last. Well, now we shall know the result!"

"I'll go to the fence and look," said Lettice, running away. The tears
of mortification a