nd, we could not be angry with you."

"You don't think I could!"

"No, no," said Lady Tyrrell; "we think no such thing. Don't you
see, if we did not trust your honour, we could not leave this in
suspense. All we desire is that these matters may be left till it
is possible to see our way, when the affairs of the estate are wound
up; for we can't tell what the poor child will have. Come, don't
repeat that it will make no difference. It may not to you; but it
must to us, and to your mother."

"My mother expects nothing!" said Frank, eagerly; but it was a false
step.

Sir Harry bristled up, saying, "Sir, my daughter shall go into no
family that--that has not a proper appreciation of--and expectations
befitting her position."

"Dear papa," exclaimed Lady Tyrrell, "he means no such thing. He is
only crediting his mother with his own romantic ardour and
disinterestedness.--Hark! there actually is the gong. Come and have
some luncheon, and contain yourself, you foolish boy!"

"I am sorry I said anything that seemed unfitting," said Frank,
meekly. "You know I _could_ not mean it!"

"Yes, yes, yes, I bear no malice; only one does not like to see
one's own child courted without a voice in the matter, and to hear
she is to be taken as a _favour_, expecting nothing. But, there,
we'll say no more. I like you, Frank Charnock! and only wish you
had ten thousand a year, or were any one else; but you see--you see.
Well, let's eat our luncheon."

"Does she know this decision?" asked Frank, aside, as he held open
the door for Lady Tyrrell.

"Yes, she knows it can go no further; though we are too merciful to
deny you the beatific vision, provided you are good, and abstain
from any more little tendresses for the present.--Ah!"--enter Cecil--
"I thought we should see you to-day, my dear!"

"Yes; I am on my way to meet my husband at the station," said Cecil,
meeting her in the hall, and returning her kiss.

"Is Raymond coming home to-day?" said Frank, as he too exchanged
greetings. "Ah! I remember; I did not see you at breakfast this
morning."

"No!" and there was signification in the voice; but Frank did not
heed it, for coming down-stairs was Eleonora, her face full of a
blushing sweetness, which gave it all the beauty it had ever lacked.

He could do no more than look and speak before all the rest; the
carriage was ordered for the sisters to go out together, and he
lingered in vain for a few words in private, fo