himself. Mr. Gresley's
methods of dealing with money matters generally brought in a high rate
of interest in the way of friction, and it was a long time before the
driver drove away, turning his horse deliberately on the little patch of
lawn under the dining-room windows.

Regie in the meanwhile had waked up, and was having tea in the
drawing-room as a great treat.

He had much to tell about his expedition; how the Bishop had given him
half-a-crown, and Uncle Dick had taken him into the town to spend it,
and how after dinner he had ridden on Uncle Dick's back.

"And Auntie Hester. How was she?"

"She was very well, only she cried a little. I did not stay long,
because Mr. Bishop was wanting to give me the half-crown, and he kept it
down-stairs. And when I went in again she was in bed, and she was so
sleepy she hardly said anything at all."

Mr. Gresley came in wearily and dropped into a chair.

Mrs. Gresley gave him his tea, and presently took Regie up-stairs. Then
she came back and sat down in a low chair close to her husband. It was
the first drop of comfort in Mr. Gresley's cup to-day.

"How is Hester?"

"According to Dr. Brown she is very ill," said Mr. Gresley, in an
extinguished voice. "But they would not let me see her."

"Not see her own brother! My dear James, you should have insisted."

"I did, but it was no use. You know how angry Dr. Brown gets at the
least opposition. And the Bishop backed him up. They said it would
excite her."

"I never heard of such a thing. What is the matter with her?"

"Shock, Dr. Brown calls it. They have been afraid of collapse all day,
but she is better this evening. They seemed to think a great deal of her
knowing Regie."

"Did the little lamb forgive her?"

"Oh yes; he kissed her, and she knew him and cried. And it seems her
hands are severely burned. They have got a nurse, and they have
telegraphed for Miss West. The Bishop was very good to Regie and gave
him that fur rug."

They looked at the splendid blue fox rug on the sofa.

"I am afraid," said Mrs. Gresley, after a pause, "that Hester did run
all the way to Southminster as the Bishop said. Abel said the Bishop's
coachman told him that she came late last night to the Palace, and she
was white with snow when the footman let her in."

"My dear, I should have thought you were too sensible to listen to
servant's gossip," said Mr. Gresley, impatiently. "Your own common-sense
will tell you that Hester never p