Yes; but their nurse is a most valuable person, and can arrange
perfectly for them, and they will always be under my eye.'

'That was just what Captain Charteris seemed to dread.'

'He little knows,' began Mr. Sandbrook, with a sigh. 'Yes, I know he is
most averse to it, and he is one who always carries his point, but he
will not do so here; he imagines that they may go to their aunt's
nursery, but,' with an added air of confidence, 'that will never do!'

Honora's eyes asked more.

'In fact,' he said, as the flush of pain rose on his cheeks, 'the
Charteris children are not brought up as I should wish to see mine.
There are influences at work there not suited for those whose home must
be a country parsonage, if-- Little Cilly has come in for more
admiration there already than is good for her.'

'It cannot be easy for her not to meet with that.'

'Why, no,' said the gratified father, smiling sadly; 'but Castle Blanch
training might make the mischief more serious. It is a gay household,
and I cannot believe with Kit Charteris that the children are too young
to feel the blight of worldly influence. Do not you think with me,
Nora?' he concluded in so exactly the old words and manner as to stir the
very depths of her heart, but woe worth the change from the hopes of
youth to this premature fading into despondency, and the implied
farewell! She did think with him completely, and felt the more for him,
as she believed that these Charterises had led him and his wife into the
gaieties, which since her death he had forsworn and abhorred as
temptations. She thought it hard that he should not have his children
with him, and talked of all the various facilities for taking them that
she could think of, till his face brightened under the grateful sense of
sympathy.

She did not hold the same opinion all the evening. The two children made
their appearance at dessert, and there began by insisting on both sitting
on his knees; Owen consented to come to her, but Lucilla would not stir,
though she put on some pretty little coquettish airs, and made herself
extremely amiable to the gentleman who sat on her father's other hand,
making smart replies, that were repeated round the table with much
amusement.

But the ordinance of departure with the ladies was one of which the
sprite had no idea; Honor held out her hand for her; Aunt Sandbrook
called her; her father put her down; she shook her curls, and said she
should not leave f