when--a little shyly--the boys entered,
uncertain of their reception. But Lady Vinsear started from her seat,
and embraced them with the utmost affection.

"My dear Cyril," she said, kissing him again; "how tall and handsome you
have grown; and Frankie, too, you are the image of Julian when he was
your age."

The boys were amazed at the heartiness with which she welcomed them, as
though nothing had happened, and after she had given them a capital
supper, she said to them, "Now, boys, I see you are rather puzzled at
me. Never mind that; don't think of what has happened. We mean all to
be friends now. And now tell me all about Julian."

They found, however, that Lady Vinsear knew a good deal about his
college career from her neighbour Lord De Vayne, who had kept her
acquainted with all his successes and honours up to the period when De
Vayne left Other Hall. Since then she had not been able to gain much
information about him, and had not heard the news either of his
fellowship, his approaching marriage, or his acceptance of a college
living.

She listened eagerly to the intelligence, and finally asked if he knew
of their visit.

"No," said Cyril, laughing; "neither he nor any of them. Now, Aunt
Vinsear, you really must do me a favour. You know Vi is to be married
at Orton on the same day as Julian; won't you come with us to the
wedding, and surprise them all? If you were to start by an early train,
and take the carriage with you, we should drive up in time for the
ceremony, and it would be such a happy joke for all concerned."

The old lady was delighted with the plan. Meeting on such an occasion,
when the minds of all were so much occupied, would avert the necessity
of anything approaching to a scene, which of all things she most
dreaded. She felt a flood of new interests, occupations, and hopes; she
made the boys stay with her until the appointed day, and looked forward
to Cyril's triumph with a delight which made her happier than she had
been for many a long year.

And thus it was that Cyril and Frank drove into the town in gallant
style, accompanied by Lady Vinsear! They stopped at the door of the
Lion, and hearing that Julian had started, got white favours placed at
the horses' heads, and dashed on to the church. The brides had not
arrived, but they were expected every moment; and Mr Vere, (who had
most kindly come to perform the ceremony), was putting on his surplice
in the vestry, while Julian