the baronet as father-
in-law.

Not so, Sir Harry. He was rather fond of Frank, and had been glad
to be no longer bound to oppose the match, and he had benignantly
made up his mind to the great sacrifice of living in his house in
London, surrounding himself with all his friends, and making the
young couple supply him with pocket-money whenever he had a run of
ill-luck. They would grant it more easily than Camilla, and would
never presume to keep him under regulation as she had done. They
would be too grateful to him.

So, after a day or two, he demanded of Eleonora whether her young
man had given her up, or what he meant by his coolness in not
calling? Lena answered the last count by explaining how unwell he
had been, and how his hearing might be lost by a renewal of his
cold. She was however further pressed, and obliged to say how
matters stood, namely, that they were engaged, but meant to wait.

Whereupon, Sir Harry, quite sincerely, poor old man, grew
compassionate and grandly benignant. The young people were prudent,
but he would come to their aid. His pittance added to theirs--even
now would set all things straight. He would never stand in the way
of their happiness!

Mrs. Poynsett had bidden Lena cast the whole on her shoulders. The
girl was too truthful and generous to do this, fond as she still was
of her father.

"No, dear papa," she said, "it is very kind in you," for she knew
that so he meant it, "but I am afraid it will not quite do. You see
Frank must be very careful in his situation--and I don't think so
quiet a way of life would suit you."

"Nonsense, child; I'm an old man, and I want no racketing. Just
house-room for myself and Victor. That fellow is worth two women in
a house. You'll keep a good cook. I'll never ask for more than a
few old friends to dinner, when I don't feel disposed to have them
at the club."

Old friends! Yes, Lenore knew them, and her flesh crept to think of
Frank's chief hearing of them constantly at his house.

"I don't think we should afford it, dear papa," she said. "We have
agreed that I had better stay with you for the present, and let
Frank make his way."

Then a thought occurred to Sir Harry. "Is this the Poynsetts'
doing?"

"No," said Eleonora, stoutly. "It is mine. I know that--oh! papa,
forgive me!--the things and people you like would not be good for
Frank, and I will not leave you nor bring him into them. Never!"

Sir Harry swore--a