speak so loud, his study is next to us, and that door leads to
it," replied Mary; "he would not say anything to you, but he would find
fault with me."

"Then you had better come to see me at the Austin Arms, where I am
stopping."

"I will come this evening," replied Mary.

At this moment the door which led to the study was opened, and a voice
was heard--

"Mary, I wish you would take your sweethearts to a more convenient
distance."

Joey heard the harsh, hollow voice, but recognised it not; he would not
turn round to look at Mr Austin, but remained with his back to him, and
the door closed again with a bang.

"Well," observed Joey, "that is a pretty fair specimen of what he is, at
all events. Why did you not say I was your brother?"

"Because it was better to say nothing," replied Mary; "he will not come
in again."

"Well, I shall leave you now," said Joey, "and wait till the evening;
you will be certain to come?"

"O yes, I certainly shall," replied Mary. "Hush! I hear my mistress
with Mr Austin. I wish you could see her, you would like her very
much."

The outer door of the study was closed to, and then the door of the room
in which they were conversing was opened, but it was shut again
immediately.

"Who was that?" said our hero, who had not turned round to ascertain.
"Mrs Austin; she just looked in, and seeing I was engaged, she only
nodded to me to say that she wanted me, I presume, and then went away
again," replied Mary. "You had better go now, and I will be sure to
come in the evening."

Our hero quitted the hall; he had evidently been in the presence of his
father and mother without knowing it, and all because he happened on
both occasions to have his face turned in a wrong direction, and he left
the house as unconscious as he went in. As soon as our hero had left
the hall, Mary repaired to her mistress.

"Do you want me, madam?" said Mary, as she went to her mistress.

"No, Mary, not particular, but Mr Austin sent for me; he was annoyed at
your having a strange person in the house, and desired me to send him
away."

"It was my brother, madam," replied Mary.

"Your brother! I am very sorry, Mary, but you know how nervous Mr
Austin is, and there is no reasoning against nerves. I should have
liked to have seen your brother very much; if I recollect rightly, you
told me he was doing well at Portsmouth, is he not?"

"Yes, madam; he is now a partner in one of the first houses there."