as he called her, to be
put on the list for a pension of 300 pounds a year. Nothing that once
gets into his head can ever be got out of it, and he was shocked at
seeing his old physician's widow 'gone out as a governess--gone out as
a governess--great disgrace to the royal family!' I am very glad that it
happened so."

"And so am I. She ought to have had it long and long ago, especially
after the sad misfortune of her husband. You will let me tell her? It
will be such a pleasure."

"Certainly, my dear; you are the very one to do it. Tell her that her
eldest pupil is come with a little piece of news for her; it will make
her smile--she has a very pretty smile, which reminds me of the
gallant Blyth. And now, my child, the third piece of news concerns
yourself--your good, and dutiful, and exceedingly sensible self. Ahem!"
cried the Admiral, as he always did, when he feared that he might have
overstepped the truth.

"I know what it is; you need not tell me," Faith answered, confirming
her fear at once. "It is no use, father; it is no good at all--unless
you intend to forget your own promise."

"That I shall never do," he replied, while looking at her sadly; "no, my
dear child, I shall never attempt to drive instead of lead you. But you
have not heard me out as yet. You don't even know who it is I mean."

"Oh yes, I do; I know well enough, father. I am not like Dolly,
universally admired. Because I do not want to be. You mean Lord
Dashville--can you tell me that you don't?"

"No, my dear"--Sir Charles was a little surprised that Faith should be
so quick, for (like most people of gentle nature) she was taken to
be slow, because she never snapped--"I cannot deny that it is Lord
Dashville, because that is the man, and no other. But how you could tell
surpasses me, and it shows that he must be very often in your mind:"
the Admiral thought he had caught her there. "Now can you say anything
against him? Is he not honest, manly, single-minded, faithful as
yourself, I do believe, good-looking, well-bred, a Tory, and a
gentleman, certain to make any woman happy whom he loves? Can you say a
syllable against all that?"

"No," replied Faith--a very long, slow "no," as if she only wished she
could say something hard about him.

"Very well," her father went on, with triumph, "and can you deny that
he is just the person you might have taken a great liking to--fallen
in love with, as they call it--if only he had come before your