ght on his side."

"I don't know about right," said Mrs. Tappitt. "I don't think he can
have any right to come and set himself up here in opposition, as one
may say, to the very ghost of his own uncle. I agree with Augusta,
and think it is a very dirty thing to do."

"Quite shameful," said Augusta, indignantly.

"But if he has got the law on his side," continued Mrs. Tappitt,
"it's no good your papa trying to go against that. Where should we be
if we were to lose everything and be told to pay more money than your
papa has got? It wouldn't be very pleasant to be turned out of the
house."

"I don't think he'd ever do it," said Cherry.

"I declare, Cherry, I think you are in love with the man," said
Augusta.

"If I ain't I know who was," said Cherry.

"As for love," said Mrs. Tappitt, "we all know who is in love with
him,--nasty little sly minx! In the whole matter nothing makes me so
angry as to think that she should have come here to our dance."

"That was Cherry's doing," said Augusta. This remark Cherry noticed
only by a grimace addressed specially to her sister. A battle in
Rachel's favour under present circumstances would have been so losing
an affair that Cherry had not pluck enough to adventure it on her
friend's behalf.

"But the question is,--what are we to do about the lawsuit?" said
Mrs. Tappitt. "It is easy to see from your papa's manner that he
is very much harassed. He won't admit him as a partner;--that's
certain."

"Oh dear! I should hope not," said Augusta.

"That's all very well," said Martha; "but if the young man can prove
his right, he must have it. Mamma, do you know what Mr. Honyman says
about it?"

"Yes, my dear, I do." Mrs. Tappitt's manner became very solemn, and
the girls listened with all their ears. "Yes, my dear, I do. Mr.
Honyman thinks your father should give way."

"And take him in as a partner?" said Augusta. "Papa has got that
spirit that he couldn't do it."

"It doesn't follow that your papa should take Mr. Rowan in as a
partner because he gives up the lawsuit. He might pay him the money
that he asks."

"But has he got it?" demanded Martha.

"Besides, it's such a deal; isn't it?" said Augusta.

"Or," continued Mrs. Tappitt, "your papa might accept his offer by
retiring with a very handsome income for us all. Your papa has been
in business for a great many years, working like a galley-slave.
Nobody knows how he has toiled and moiled, except me. It isn't any
joke