ws, exclaimed that it was Mr.
Musselwhite.

"He has a lot of flowers, as usual," she added, scornfully, watching
him as he paid the cabman. "Go into the back room, mamma. Let's say
you're not at home to-day. Send for the teapot, and get some more tea
made."

There came a high-bred knock at the front door, and Mrs. Denyer
disappeared.

Mr. Musselwhite entered with a look and bearing much graver than usual.
He made the proper remarks, and gave Barbara the flowers for her sister
then seated himself, and stroked his moustache.

"Miss Denyer," he began, when Barbara waited wearily for the familiar
topic, "my brother, Sir Grant, died a week ago."

"I am very grieved to hear it," she replied, mechanically, at once
absorbed in speculation as to whether this would make any change that
concerned her.

"It was a long and painful illness, and recovery was known to be
impossible. Yet I too cannot help grieving. As you know, we had not
seen much of each other for some years, but I had the very highest
opinion of Sir Grant, and it always gave me pleasure to think of him as
the head of our family. He was a man of great abilities, and a kind
man."

"I am sure he was--from what you have told me of him."

"My nephew succeeds to the title and the estate; he is now Sir Roland
Musselwhite. I have mentioned him in our conversations. He is about
thirty-four, a very able man, and very kind, very generous."

There was a distinct tremor in his voice; he pulled his moustache
vigorously. Barbara listened with painful eagerness.

"If you will forgive me for speaking of my private circumstances, Miss
Denyer, I should like to tell you that for some years I have enjoyed
only a very restricted income; a bachelor's allowance--really it
amounted to nothing more than that. In consequence of that, my life has
been rather unsettled; I scarcely knew what to do with myself, in fact;
now and then time has been rather heavy on my hands. You may have
noticed that, for I know you are observant."

He waited for her to say whether she had or had not observed this
peculiarity in him.

"I have sometimes been afraid that was the case," said Barbara.

"I quite thought so." He smiled with gratification. "But now--if I may
speak a little longer of these personal matters--all that is altered,
and by the very great kindness, the generosity, of my nephew Sir
Roland. Sir Roland has seen fit to put me in possession of an income
just three times what I have hi