at another woman in that sort of way. Some people might have wished him to marry again and have a son, perhaps but Sir Richard does not see it at all. He thinks that it would be such an injustice to Thomasina; for now, of course, everything is settled on her.'

'It is very well to tell me what Sir Richard thinks,' rejoined rejoined Mrs. Grey, but I was speaking of Anthony.'

Anthony has always been a good son,' said Lady Bertram placidly; it would not enter his head to do anything so disgracefully absurd as to marry our agent's daughter.'

My dear Julia, neither Anthony's good. heart nor his good sense will prevent his being made a fool of by a pretty face. And I am far from thinking it undesirable for him to make a second marriage, supposing his choice were to fall on a sensible woman of a suitable age, as my Thomasina would have

been,' Mrs. Grey added with a shade of asperity. I imagine that you and Sir Richard do not expect to live for ever, and, since Anthony has never been allowed to think for himself, I should like to know what he is to do with his headstrong, flighty girl when they are left together. However, if you are resolved not to have another daughter-in-law, you will take my advice. and discountenance these long rides with a pretty young woman.'

She is nothing so very pretty,' said Lady Bertram; 'only a plump, yellow-haired girl, very quiet and sensible. She has done exceedingly well for Thomasina, and I should think it an impertinence, both to Anthony and to the Windsors, to show any want of confidence in her. The child must have companions.'

'She would have companions at school,' said Mrs. Grey, with characteristic pertinacity.

You heard what Sir Richard said about that, and you know well enough that when he says a thing he sticks to it.'

6

'He was always obstinate when he was a boy,' said Mrs. Grey, as memory carried her back to childish quarrels of sixty years ago. Well, Julia, I have done my duty in speaking, though it is only a thankless task to give advice, and I hope that you may have no cause to remember my words when the mischief is past undoing.'

I hope so, too, Thomasina; I am not at all uneasy.' And, though Lady Bertram's serene confidence in Anthony was unshaken, the two old ladies parted to dress for dinner with minds a little ruffled by the controversy.

Polly's ride with Mr. Bertram had also been the theme for family discussion at the cottage. 'I suppose that the little girl is chaperon enough?' Mrs. Windsor had said to

her husband.

Polly seemed rather anxious

to know whether we should think it all

right.'

Of course it is all right, if she does not knock up my mare by riding too fast and too far,' said Mr. Windsor; it seems to me absurd to suppose that any chaperon is needed. Why the man is old enough to be her grandfather'-Lady Bertram had only said her father and as steady as Old Time. Anthony Bertram will not marry again unless Sir Richard lays his commands. upon him to do so, and you may be very sure that he will not order him to marry our Polly.'

' Polly enjoyed her ride,' said Mrs. Windsor. 'She says that Mr. Bertram is kind and pleasant, and that it is pretty to see the father and child together. I am glad that she should have the exercise and amusement, for she is really hard worked in the school-room.'

'That is all very well,' said Mr. Windsor; 'but she must not expect me to keep another horse for her.'

In spite of this protest in the early days of the intimacy, it soon became an established custom that whenever Mr. Windsor did not want his horse, and occasionally when he did want it, and yet was unable to resist Polly's pleading glance, she joined the riding party from the Chase. Sometimes Sir Richard came, and sometimes Anthony, and it is doubtful how many months had elapsed before Mary Windsor was conscious of a feeling of disappointment when it was only the elder Bertram who rode up to the gate with Thomasina. She liked Sir Richard, and was gratified by his notice; for he talked to her a good deal, chiefly of his grandchild, who was, perhaps, the only subject in the world on which he could be eloquent. Anthony was silent and reserved, but even his silence was