sly, and Flora
rose from her knees, highly satisfied at the impression produced upon
her brothers.

"I like to have the baby with us at breakfast," she said; "it is the
only time of day when we can be sure of seeing anything of her, and I
like her nurse to have some respite. Do you think her grown, Norman?"

"Not very much," said Norman, who thought her more inanimate and like
a pretty little waxen toy, than when he had last seen her. "Is she not
rather pale?"

"London makes children pale. I shall soon take her home to acquire a
little colour. You must know Sir Henry has bitten us with his yachting
tastes, and as soon as we can leave London, we are going to spend six
weeks with the Walkinghames at Ryde, and rival you, Harry. I think Miss
Leonora will be better at home, so we must leave her there. Lodgings and
irregularities don't suit people of her age."

"Does home mean Stoneborough?" asked Norman.

"No. Old nurse has one of her deadly prejudices against Preston, and I
would not be responsible for the consequences of shutting them up in the
same nursery. Margaret would be distracted between them. No, miss, you
shall make her a visit every day, and be fondled by your grandpapa."

George began a conversation with Harry on nautical matters, and Norman
tried to discover how Meta liked the yachting project, and found her
prepared to think it charming. Hopes were expressed that Harry might be
at Portsmouth, and a quantity of gay scheming ensued, with reiterations
of the name of Walkinghame; while Norman had a sense of being wrapped
in some gray mist, excluding him from participation in their enjoyments,
and condemned his own temper as frivolous for being thus excited to
discontent.

Presently, he heard George insisting that he and Harry should return in
time for the evening party; and, on beginning to refuse, was amazed to
find Harry's only objection was on the score of lack of uniform.

"I don't want you in one, sir," said Flora.

"I have only one coat in the world, besides this," continued Harry, "and
that is all over tar."

"George will see to that," said Flora. "Don't you think you would be
welcome in matting, with an orange cowry round your neck?"

Norman, however, took a private opportunity of asking Harry if he was
aware of what he was undertaking, and what kind of people they should
meet.

"All English people behave much the same in a room," said Harry, as if
all society, provided it was not cannibal,