t good taste to bring them forward.'

'If you wish to understand,' said Mervyn, maliciously, 'you had better
come and see. Robert would be very glad of your advice for the kitchen
he is setting going--sick cookery and cheap dinners.'

'And pray who pays for them? Robert has made himself a beggar. Is it
you?'

'No; those who eat. It is to be self-supporting. I do nothing but lend
the house. You don't remember it. It is the palace at the corner of
Richard Alley.'

'It is no concern of mine, I know; but what is to become of the business
if you go giving away the houses?'

'Oh! I am getting into the foreign and exportation line. It is
infinitely less bother.'

'Ah, well! I am glad my poor father does not see it. He would have said
the business was going to the dogs!'

'No; he was fast coming into Robert's views, and I heartily wish I had
not hindered him.'

Augusta told her admiral that evening that there was no hope for the
family, since Robert had got hold of Mervyn as well as of the rest of
them. People in society actually asked her about the schools and
playground at Mr. Fulmort's distillery; there had been an educational
report about them. Quite disgusting!

There passed a day of conflicting hope and fear, soothed by the pleasure
of preparation, and at seven in the evening there came the ring at the
house door, and Lucilla was once more in Honora's arms. It was for a
moment a convulsive embrace, but it was not the same lingering clinging
as when she met Phoebe, nor did she look so much changed as then, for
there was a vivid tint of rose on either cheek; she had restored her hair
to the familiar fashion, and her eyes were bright with excitement. The
presence of Maria and Bertha, which Miss Charlecote had regretted, was
probably a relief; for Lucilla, as she threw off her bonnet, and sat down
to the 'severe tea' awaiting her, talked much to them, observed upon
their growth, noticed the little Maltese dog, and compared her
continental experiences with Bertha's. To Honor she scarcely spoke
voluntarily, and cast down her eyes as she did so, making brief work of
answers to inquiries, and showing herself altogether disappointingly the
old Cilly. Robert's absence was also a disappointment to Honor, though
she satisfied herself that it was out of consideration.

Lucy would not go up to her room till bed-time; and when Honor,
accompanying her thither, asked tender and anxious questions about her
heal