they were, thus displaying a
perfect and minute recollection and affection for the place, which much
gratified Honora. The little girl began to thaw somewhat under the
influence of amusement, but there was still a curious ungraciousness
towards all attentions. She required those of her father as a right, but
shook off all others in a manner which might be either shyness or
independence; but as she was a pretty and naturally graceful child, it
had a somewhat engaging air of caprice. They took leave, Mr. Sandbrook
telling the children to thank Miss Charlecote for being so kind to them,
which neither would do, and telling her, as he pressed her hand, that he
hoped to see her again. Honora felt as if an old page in her history had
been reopened, but it was not the page of her idolatry, it was that of
the fall of her idol! She did not see in him the champion of the truth,
but his presence palpably showed her the excitable weakness which she had
taken for inspiration, while the sweetness and sympathy warmed her heart
towards him, and made her feel that she had underrated his
attractiveness. His implications that he knew she sympathized with him
had touched her greatly, and then he looked so ill!

A note from old Mrs. Sandbrook begged her to meet him at dinner the next
day, and she was glad of the opportunity of learning the doctor's verdict
upon him, though all the time she knew the meeting would be but pain,
bringing before her the disappointment not _of_ him, but _in_ him.

No one was in the drawing-room but Captain Charteris, who came and shook
hands with her as if they were old friends; but she was somewhat amazed
at missing Mrs. Sandbrook, whose formality would be shocked by leaving
her guests in the lurch.

'Some disturbance in the nursery department, I fancy,' said the captain;
'those children have never been from home, and they are rather exacting,
poor things.'

'Poor little things!' echoed Honora; then, anxious to profit by the
_tete-a-tete_, 'has Mr. Sandbrook seen Dr. L.?'

'Yes, it is just as I apprehended. Lungs very much affected, right one
nearly gone. Nothing for it but the Mediterranean.'

'Indeed!'

'It is no wonder. Since my poor sister died he has never taken the most
moderate care of his health, perfectly revelled in dreariness and
desolateness, I believe! He has had this cough about him ever since the
winter, when he walked up and down whole nights with that poor child, and
never woul