not seem
to count somehow now that Theo was a man and married), this beautiful
lot was to come? She was very shy to accept the thought, holding back
with a gentle modesty, trying not to see how Dick's thoughts and looks
turned to her--an attitude that was perfect in its conformity with her
nature and looks, and filled Dick with tender admiration mingled with
a little alarm, such as he had not heretofore felt, but which touched
Minnie with astonishment and indignation. "She can't be going to refuse
Mr. Cavendish," she said afterwards to the partner of all her thoughts.
"It would be very surprising," said Eustace. "Oh, it must not be allowed
for a moment," Minnie cried.

On the first evening, which was Saturday, Lady Markland and Theo came to
dinner: she very sweet, and friendly and gracious to every one, he full
of cloudy bliss, with all his nerves on the surface, ready to be wounded
by any chance touch. The differing characteristics of the family thus
assembled together might have given an observer much amusement, so full
was each of his and her special little circle of wishes and interests:
but time does not permit us to linger upon that little society. Lady
Markland attached herself most to the mother, with a curious fellow-feeling
which touched yet alarmed Mrs. Warrender. "I am more on your level than
on theirs," she whispered. "My dear, that is nonsense, Minnie is as old
as you are," Mrs. Warrender said. But then Minnie had never been anything
but a young lady until she married Eustace, and Lady Markland--ah, nothing
could alter the fact that Lady Markland had already lived a life with
which Theo had nothing to do. In the midst of this family party Chatty
and her affairs were a little thrown into the background. She fulfilled
all the modest little offices of the young lady of the house, made the
tea and served it sweetly, brought her mother's work and footstool, did
everything that was wanted. Dick could not talk to her much, indeed
talking was not Chatty's strong point; but he followed her about with
his eyes, and took the advantage of all her simple ministrations, in
which she shone much more than in talk.

But the Sunday morning was the best. The Rev. Eustace took the duty by
special request of the vicar in the chief church of Highcombe, and Dick
went with the mother and daughter to a humble little old church standing
a little out of the town, with its little inclosure round it full of
those rural graves where o