ft hand, so
as to place herself just inside, and close against, the left post of the
folding-door. In this position she dexterously barred the only passage
by which Mrs. Lecount could have skirted round the large table and
contrived to front Magdalen by taking a chair at her master's side. On
the right hand of the table the empty space was well occupied by
the fireplace and fender, by some traveling-trunks, and a large
packing-case. There was no alternative left for Mrs. Lecount but to
place herself on a line with Magdalen against the opposite post of
the folding-door, or to push rudely past the visitor with the obvious
intention of getting in front of her. With an expressive little cough,
and with one steady look at her master, the housekeeper conceded the
point, and took her seat against the right-hand door-post. "Wait a
little," thought Mrs. Lecount; "my turn next!"

"Mind what you are about, ma'am!" cried Noel Vanstone, as Magdalen
accidentally approached the table in moving her chair. "Mind the
sleeve of your cloak! Excuse me, you nearly knocked down that silver
candlestick. Pray don't suppose it's a common candlestick. It's nothing
of the sort--it's a Peruvian candlestick. There are only three of that
pattern in the world. One is in the possession of the President of Peru;
one is locked up in the Vatican; and one is on My table. It cost ten
pounds; it's worth fifty. One of my father's bargains, ma'am. All these
things are my father's bargains. There is not another house in England
which has such curiosities as these. Sit down, Lecount; I beg you will
make yourself comfortable. Mrs. Lecount is like the curiosities, Miss
Garth--she is one of my father's bargains. You are one of my father's
bargains, are you not, Lecount? My father was a remarkable man,
ma'am. You will be reminded of him here at every turn. I have got his
dressing-gown on at this moment. No such linen as this is made now--you
can't get it for love or money. Would you like to feel the texture?
Perhaps you're no judge of texture? Perhaps you would prefer talking to
me about these two pupils of yours? They are two, are they not? Are they
fine girls? Plump, fresh, full-blown English beauties?"

"Excuse me, sir," interposed Mrs. Lecount, sorrowfully. "I must really
beg permission to retire if you speak of the poor things in that way.
I can't sit by, sir, and hear them turned into ridicule. Consider their
position; consider Miss Garth."

"You good creat