s in her forehead
and about the corners of her rather large mouth, but her crisp hair was
still untouched by gray, her bright, gipsy-like complexion had retained
its freshness, she possessed the same effect of wholesomeness and good
sense as of old, while her honest, brown eyes were soft with satisfied
mother-love as they met those of the slender, black-headed boy at her
side.--Godfrey Ormiston was in his second term at Eton, and had come to
Newlands to-day for his exeat.--The little party was completed by Lord
Shotover, who stood before the fire warming that part of his person
which by the lay mind, unversed in such mysteries, might have been
judged to be already more than sufficiently warmed by the saddle, his
feet planted far apart and a long glass of brandy and soda in his hand.
For this last he had offered good-tempered apology.

"I know I've no business to bring it in here, Mrs. Cathcart," he said,
"and make your drawing-room smell like a pot-house. But, you see, there
was a positive stampede for the hearth-rug in the hall. A modest man,
such as myself, hadn't a chance. There's a regular rampart, half the
county in fact, before that fire. So I thought I'd just slope in here,
don't you know? It looked awfully warm and inviting. And then I wanted
to pay my respects to Mrs. Ormiston too, and talk to this young chap
about Eton in peace."

Whereat Godfrey flushed up to the roots of his hair, being very
sensibly exalted. Since what young male creature who knew anything
really worth knowing--that was Godfrey's way of putting it at
least--did not know that Lord Shotover had been a mighty sportsman from
his youth up, and upon a certain famous occasion had won the Grand
National on his own horse?

"Only tea for me, Mrs. Cathcart," Lord Fallowfeild was saying. "Capital
thing tea. Never touch spirits in the daytime and never have. No
reflection upon other men's habits."--He turned an admiring, fatherly
glance upon the tall, well-made Shotover.--"Other men know their own
business best. Always have been a great advocate for believing every
man knows his own business best. Still stick to my own habits. Like to
be consistent. Very steadying, sobering thing to be consistent, very
strengthening to the character. Always have told all my children that.
As you begin, so you shall go on. Always have tried to begin as I was
going on. Haven't always succeeded, but have made an honest effort. And
it is something, you know, to make an h