ord Tyrrell, who died about two years ago. She has no
children, so she has taken the family in charge, patches up Sir
Harry's affairs with her jointure, and chaperons her sister."

"What is she like?"

"Ask Frank," said Charlie, slyly.

"No!" said Frank, with dignity. "I shall say no more, I only excite
prejudice."

"You are right, Frank," said Julius, who had evidently recovered
from the shock. "It is not fair to judge people now from what they
were eleven years ago. They have had some terrible lessons, and may
be much changed."

"Ay," said Frank; "and they have been living in an atmosphere
congenial to you, at Rockpier, and are hand and glove with all the
St. Chrysostom folk there. What do you say to that, Julius? I can
tell you they are enchanted with your curate!"

"They are not in this parish."

"No, but they turn up here--the ladies, at least--at all the
services at odd times that Bindon has begun with."

"Ah! by the bye, is Herbert Bowater come?"

"Yes, the whole family came over to his installation in Mrs.
Hornblower's lodgings."

"I saw him this morning, poor old Herbs," added Frank, "looking
uncommonly as if he felt himself in a strait waistcoat."

"What, are there two curates?" demanded Cecil, in a tone of
reprobation.

Julius made a gesture of assent, with a certain humorous air of
deprecation, which, however, was lost upon her.

"We never let Mr. Venn have one," continued Cecil, "except one
winter when he was ill, and then not a young one. Papa says idle
young clergymen are not to be encouraged."

"I am entirely of Mr. Charnock's opinion. But if I have exceeded
the Dunstone standard, it was not willingly. Herbert Bowater is the
son of some old friends of my mother's, who wanted to keep their son
near home, and made it their request that I would give him a title."

"And the Bowaters are the great feature in the neighbourhood," added
Frank. "Herbert tells me there are wonderful designs for
entertaining the brides."

"What do they consist of?" asked Rosamond.

"All the component parts of a family," said Frank. "The eldest
daughter is a sort of sheet-anchor to my mother, as well as her own.
The eldest son is at home now. He is in the army."

"In the Light Dragoons?" asked Rosamond. "Oh! then I knew him at
Edinburgh! A man with yellow whiskers, and the next thing to a
stutter."

"I declare, Julius, she is as good as any army list," exclaimed
Charlie.

"There's praise!"