ome of the furniture arrived at the Gray Cottage two days ago.'

Captain Burnett looked up quickly, as though he were about to speak, and
then changed his mind, and went on with his occupation, which was
teaching a small brown Dachs-hund the Gladstone trick.

'Now, Booty, when I say "Lord Salisbury," you are to eat the sugar, but
not before. Ah, here comes the bone of contention!' he went on in a
purposely loud tone, as a shadow darkened the window; and the next
minute a tall young lady stepped over the low sill into the room.

'Were you talking about me?' she asked in a clear voice, as she looked
round at them. 'How do you do, Gage? Have you been here all the
afternoon? How is Percival? No more tea, thank you; I have just had
some--at the Blakes'.'

'At the Blakes'?' exclaimed her sister, in a horror-stricken tone,
unable to believe her ears.

'Yes. I heard they had come in last night, so I thought it would be only
neighbourly to call and see if one could do anything for them. I met
father on the Hill, and he quite approved. Mrs. Blake sends her
compliments to you, mother;' and as only an awful silence answered her,
she continued innocently: 'I am sure you and Gage will like her. She is
charming--perfectly charming! the nicest person I have seen for a long
time!' finished Audrey, with delightful unconsciousness of the sensation
she was creating.

CHAPTER II

AUDREY INTRODUCES HERSELF

'Indeed, all faults, had they been ten times more and greater,
would have been neutralised by that supreme expression of her
features, to the unity of which every lineament in the fixed parts,
and every undulation in the moving parts of her countenance,
concurred, viz., a sunny benignity, a radiant graciousness, such as
in this world I never saw surpassed.'

DE QUINCEY.

In this innocent fashion had Audrey Ross solved the Gordian knot of
family difficulty, leaving her mother and sister eyeing each other with
the aghast looks of defeated conspirators; and it must be owned that
many a tangled skein, that would have been patiently and laboriously
unravelled by the skilled fingers of Geraldine, was spoilt in this
manner by the quick impulsiveness of Audrey.

No two sisters could be greater contrasts to each other. While young
Mrs. Harcourt laid an undue stress on what may be termed the minor
morals, the small proprieties, and lesser virtue