tical as a hostess than as a visitor. She was amused by the little girl's fresh enjoyment of this new phase of life, and Anthony was the first to demur to the programme she laid down for the morrow, which included a panorama in the morning, a visit to the Polytechnic, particularly recommended by Jem Windsor, and a play in the evening. 'We must not put too much into one day,' Anthony said, and Thomasina bore down upon him with her country experience, and said that there would be plenty of time if they began at six o'clock in the morning.

That is three hours too soon,' said Mrs. Grey.

'You call six o'clock early!' exclaimed Thomasina; 'why the cows at home are often milked at four.'.

The milkers have not been to the play the night before. Besides you know that your father has not only come up for sight

seeing, and there is law business for tomorrow morning. If your impatience cannot be restrained until he comes in, I will take you to the Coliseum after breakfast.'

Thomasina's countenance fell. I do not see much good in that,' she said, 'because if the Coliseum is nice, father must see it too.' Anthony was gratified, and Mrs. Grey not displeased, by this reply, and it was finally decided that Thomasina should employ the following morning in writing to her grandfather, and that the afternoon should be devoted to the Zoological Gardens.

CHAPTER V.

THE morning seemed long to Thomasina. She awoke quite early enough to milk the cows, and, in default of that pastoral occupation, was at a loss how to fill up her time. She went to her father's room and roused him up a full hour before it was time for Mrs. Grey's early breakfast, and they could only pass away the time by inspecting the trophies of General Grey's military fame. Thomasina looked with considerable respect at his battered shako and the weather-stained uniform, in which there was a bullet-hole, the mark of a wound which had left him with an empty sleeve. These, and several other relics, were carefully sprinkled with lumps of camphor and arranged in a cabinet

with glass windows, and they served as the theme of Thomasina's letter to Sir Richard. But when breakfast was over, and the letter written, time hung heavily on her hands as she waited for her father's return. The view from a house in Chesterfield Street is neither lively nor extensive, and Thomasina looked out of the windows without finding much to amuse her. Punch went through the street, and Thomasina looked doubtfully at her aunt, who asked how old she was, and observed that it would be really absurd to call upon Punch to exhibit for her benefit. Thomasina was too sensible of the dignity of her twelve years to make any protest, but she thought that, if Anthony had been at home, he would not have been too old to enjoy the exhibition. Then Mrs. Grey asked Thomasina if she were not fond of reading, and she went to a shelf in which she kept a slender store of juvenile publications, dating

for the most part from the beginning of the century. Thomasina was attracted by the appearance of a ragged copy of the 'Travels of Rolando,' but her aunt recommended 'The Friendly Counsellor,' a book in small, pale print, which was highly moral but not very entertaining, and Thomasina sighed, fidgetted, and finally laid it aside to resume the occupation of counting the number of wheeled vehicles which drove through the

street.

'I am afraid that you have not yet learned application,' said Mrs. Grey.

'I am very idle to-day,' said Thomasina candidly, but then you know that I have come to London to see the world, not to sit at home and read all the morning. I can read at home, and Polly says that I give her less trouble than any of the others.'

'Does Miss Windsor still ride with you as well as teach you?' enquired Mrs. Grey.