. Luttrell.

Her hands, which were crossed before her on her knee, trembled a little
as she said the words.

Hugo hesitated for a moment.

"I have made my decision," he said at last, in a firm voice, "and it is
one that I know I shall never have cause to repent. Aunt Margaret, I
accept your kind--your generous--offer, and I will be to you as a son."

He had prepared his little speech so carefully that it scarcely sounded
artificial when it issued from those curved, beautiful lips, and was
emphasised by the liquid softness of his Southern eyes.

CHAPTER XIX.

A LOST LETTER.

Hugo's visit to the Herons was paid rather late in the afternoon, and
he, therefore, had the full benefit of the whole family party, as each
member of it dropped in to tea. Mrs. Heron's old habits still
re-asserted themselves, in spite of the slight check imposed on her by
the remembrance that the house belonged to Elizabeth, that the many new
luxuries and comforts, including freedom from debt, had come from
Elizabeth's purse, and that Elizabeth, although she chose to abdicate
her power, was really the sovereign of Strathleckie. But Elizabeth
arrogated so little to herself, and was so wonderfully content to be
second in the house, that Mrs. Heron was apt to forget the facts of the
case, and to act as if she were mistress as much as she had ever been in
the untidy dwelling in Gower-street.

As regarded the matter of tidiness, Elizabeth had made reforms. There
were now many more servants than there had been in Gower-street, and the
drawing-room could not present quite the same look of chaos as had
formerly prevailed there. But Elizabeth knew the ways of the household
too well to expect that Mr. Heron's paint-brushes, Mrs. Heron's novels,
and the children's toys would not be found in every quarter of the
house; it was as much as she could do to select rooms that were intended
to fill the purposes of studio, boudoir, and nursery; she could not make
her relations confine themselves and their occupations to their
respective apartments.

She had had a great struggle with her uncle before the present state of
affairs came about. He had roused himself sufficiently to protest
against making use of her money and not giving her, as he said, her
proper position; but Elizabeth's determined will overcame all his
objections. "I never wanted this money," she said to him; "I think it a
burden. The only way in which I can enjoy it is by making life a