will like her so much! Besides,
she is in such trouble. I will tell you all about it, grandmamma."

Then Lady Clara told Caroline's story; how she had been brought up by a
good man, believing herself his child, until he and his good wife died,
and, just as she grew into womanhood was claimed by the actress Olympia,
who was determined to force her upon the stage, from which she shrank
with a loathing that had made her ill. Lady Clara did not mention the
name of Daniel Yates, because it had made no impression upon her, if,
indeed, she had heard it; but she succeeded in interesting the old
countess, and it was decided that Caroline and the servant who had clung
to her so faithfully should be sent for.

When Lady Clara left her grandmother's room, the face that had been so
clouded was radiant, for, after having all her anxieties swept away, as
it seemed by a miracle, she had ventured upon a positive request, which
made her breath come short as she made it.

With some adroitness, and a talent that would have made her fortune on
the stage, she brought the subject round to Lady Hope, and from her to
the fact that she had an only brother, who had travelled in foreign
parts for years, but had just come back to England, and had been at
Oakhurst.

The old lady listened with gentle attention, but did not divine Clara's
wishes by intuition as she had before.

"He is mamma Rachael's only relative, and she loves him dearly," said
Clara. "I think she would always like to have him with her."

Even this gentle hint did not arouse the old lady, who was falling back
into a pleasant lethargy, so common to aged persons.

"You would like him yourself, grandmamma," continued Clara, getting
anxious; "he has seen so much, and talks so well; besides, he knows
everything about horses, and taught me so many things about managing
them."

"Indeed!" said Lady Carset, arousing herself, for she had been a
splendid horsewoman in her time. "It would be a great comfort if we had
some one besides the groom to advise with about the ponies. Then, we
must have a couple of saddle horses for you and the American young lady.
Would this young gentleman--Is he young, Clara?"

"Not very," answered Clara, blushing quietly, and drooping her head to
hide the fact, as the old lady took up her sentence again.

"I suppose not. So, as your stepmother might be pleased, what objection
would there be to inviting this gentleman to the castle? When Lady Hope
comes,