he
didn't think of forgiving no more than myself. Mothers are like
that--mighty queer sometimes just when you least expect it.'

'Peet,' said Lord Lynwood, signing to Jack to leave them, 'I think your
wife is quite right. She is acting the nobler part. You have suffered
terribly; we are fully aware of that, and we have felt for you and done
all we could for you. Surely you would not wish to give Lady Coke pain
by refusing the very first request she asks you? Think how nearly we
lost her last summer, and remember it is owing to the great care and
kindness of Jack Wright and his mother that she is spared the grief of
having lost the child entrusted to her keeping. You know this
responsibility is what weighed most on her mind, and Jack has brought
her great comfort by restoring the child. He is broken-hearted for the
injury he has done you and your family, and he begs your forgiveness.
Why is it impossible for you to give it? If not for your own sake, or
because it is the right thing to do, then because there is one who has
asked you who has been the best of friends to you through all your
troubles.'

Peet looked down, red and surly. It was a hard fight for one of his
stubborn character to acknowledge he was in the wrong, or to listen to
arguments to which his better nature responded. Seeing that he did not
reply, Lord Lynwood left him without further efforts to convince him.
Peet gazed after him with lowering brow; then turned and went to his
work.

Estelle was up early that morning, and after a delighted survey of all
her surroundings and treasures, rushed to her aunt just as the gong
sounded. Would Auntie beg a whole holiday for her cousins--just for
once? How could Aunt Betty refuse this first request? It did not require
much coaxing to make her promise to go directly after breakfast to
Begbie Hall with Estelle and her father. She even declared she would
fearlessly invade the premises sacred to Miss Leigh and learning.

Little suspecting the delight in store for him, Georgie had come down in
a bad temper that morning, and he was venting it on his lesson books,
and on Miss Leigh.

'What is the matter with you, Georgie?' asked the long-suffering
governess at last. 'Did you get out of bed the wrong side? Nothing seems
to be right this morning.'

'I always get out of bed the same side every day,' replied Georgie,
firmly, placing his books in a heap as near the edge of the table as he
could. 'It's not the bed; it's