the case, having been accustomed to much better clothes when at Arnwood
than what were usually worn by secretaries; and this remembrance brought
back Arnwood in its train, and Edward became silent and pensive.

Patience observed it, and after a time said--"You will be able to watch
over your sisters, Mr Armitage, as well here, almost, as if you were at
the cottage. You do not return till to-morrow? How did you come over?"

"I rode the pony Billy, Mistress Patience."

"Why do you call her Mistress Patience, Edward?" said Clara. "You call
me Clara: why not call her Patience?"

"You forget that I am only a forester, Clara," replied Edward, with a
grave smile.

"No, you are a secretary _now_," replied Clara.

"Mistress Patience is older than you by several years. I call you
Clara, because you are but a little girl; but I must not take that
liberty with Mistress Heatherstone."

"Do you think so, Patience?" said Clara.

"I certainly do not think that it would be a liberty in a person, after
being well acquainted with me, to call me Patience," replied she;
"especially when that person lives in the house with us, eats and
associates with us as one of the family, and is received on an equality;
but I daresay, Clara, that Master Armitage will be guided by his own
feelings, and act as he considers to be proper."

"But you give him leave, and then it is proper," replied Clara.

"Yes, if he gave himself leave, Clara," said Patience. "But we will now
show him his own room, Clara," continued Patience, wishing to change the
subject of conversation.

"Will you follow us, sir?" said Patience, with a little mock ceremony.

Edward did so without replying, and was ushered into a large airy room,
very neatly furnished.

"This is your future lodging," said Patience; "I hope you will like it."

"Why, he never saw anything like it before," said Clara.

"Yes I have, Clara," replied Edward.

"Where did you?"

"At Arnwood; the apartments were on a much larger scale."

"Arnwood! Oh yes, I have heard my father speak of it," said Clara, with
the tears starting in her eyes at his memory. "Yes, it was burnt down,
and all the children burnt to death!"

"So they say, Clara; but I was not there when it was burnt."

"Where were you then?"

"I was at the cottage where I now live." Edward turned round to
Patience, and perceived that her eyes were fixed upon him, as if she
would have read his thoughts. Edward smiled, and said