ather than
for any one else, and he evidently viewed her as the darling and
treasure of his life. His first question, after performing the
duties of a host, was, "Well, my little Lenore, what have you been
doing?"

"The old story, papa," raising her clear, sweet voice to reach his
rather deaf ears.

"Got on with your drawing?--The child is competing with a club, you
must know."

"Not exactly, papa: it is only a little society that was set on
foot at Rockpier to help us to improve ourselves."

"What is your subject this month?" Frank asked.

"A branch of blackberries," she answered briefly.

"Ah!" said Lady Tyrrell, "I saw your pupil bringing in a delicious
festoon--all black and red fruit and crimson and purple leaves. He
is really a boy of taste; I think he will do you credit."

"The new Joshua Reynolds," said Frank, glad of an excuse to turn
towards Eleonora. "Rosamond mentioned her discovery."

"You might have seen him just now figuring as Buttons," said Lady
Tyrrell. "Degradation of art, is it not? But it was the only way
to save it. Lenore is teaching him; and if his talent prove worth
it we may do something with him. Any way, the produce of native
genius will be grand material for the bazaar."

"Card-board prettinesses!" said Mrs. Duncombe; "you spoil him with
them; but that you'll do any way--make him fit for nothing but a
flunkey."

"Unappreciated zeal!" said Lady Tyrrell, glancing at her sister, who
flushed a little, and looked the more grave.

"Eh, Lenore," said her father, "wasn't it to please you that Camilla
made me take your pet to make havoc of my glasses?"

"You meant it so, dear papa," said Eleonora, calling up a smile that
satisfied the old gentleman. "It was very kind in you."

Fresh subjects were started, and on all the talk was lively and
pleasant, and fascinated Cecil, not from any reminiscence of
Dunstone--for indeed nothing could be more unlike the tone that
prevailed there: but because it was so different from that of
Compton Poynsett, drifting on so unrestrainedly, and touching so
lightly on all topics.

By the close of the meal, rain had set in, evidently for the
afternoon. Frank offered to ride home, and send the carriage for
Cecil; but the Duncombes proposed to take her and drop her at home;
and to this she consented, rather to Frank's dismay, as he thought
of their coach appearing at his mother's door.

Lady Tyrrell took her up to resume her hat; and on the w