We shall not so easily
be unconscious now, when they talk about each other in the innocent way
they do. We have had a lesson against being pleased at match-making!"
But, turning away from the subject, "You shall not lose your Cocksmoor
income, Ethel--"

"I had never thought of that. You have taken no fees here since we have
been all one family."

"Well, he has been good enough to leave me L500, and Cocksmoor can have
the interest, if you like."

"Oh, thank you, papa."

"It is only its due, for I suppose that is for attendance. Personally,
to myself, he has left that beautiful Claude which he knew I admired so
much. He has been very kind! But, after all, we ought not to be talking
of all this--I should not have known it, if I had not been forced to
read the will. Well, so we are in Flora's house, Ethel! I wonder how
poor dear little Meta will feel the being a guest here, instead of the
mistress. I wish that boy were three or four years older! I should
like to take her straight home with us--I should like to have her for a
daughter. I shall always look on her as one."

"As a Daisy!" said Ethel.

"Don't talk of it!" said Dr. May hastily; "this is no time for such
things. After all, I am glad that the funeral is not here--Flora and
Meta might be rather overwhelmed with these three incongruous sets of
relations. By their letters, those Riverses must be quite as queer a
lot as George's relations. After all, if we have nothing else, Ethel, we
have the best of it, in regard to such relations as we have."

"There is Lord Cosham," said Ethel.

"Yes, he is Meta's guardian, as well as her brother; but he could not
have her to live with him. She must depend upon Flora. But we shall
see."

Ethel felt confident that Flora would be very kind to her little
sister-in-law, and yet one of those gleams of doubt crossed her, whether
Flora would not be somewhat jealous of her own authority.

Late the next evening, the carriage drove to the door, and George and
Flora appeared in the hall. Their sisters went out to meet them, and
George folded Meta in his arms, and kissing her again and again, called
her his poor dear little sister, and wept bitterly, and even violently.
Flora stood beside Ethel, and said, in a low voice, that poor George
felt it dreadfully; and then came forward, touched him gently, and told
him that he must not overset Meta; and, drawing her from him, kissed
her, and said what a grievous time this had been for h