"What do I care what he shot, and whether the creatures had horns on their heads or not?" thundered forth Miss Lomax.

"I cannot

endure to hear of that young man, wasting his time thus in mere amusement. When he has 'brought down,' as they call it, as many poor stags, and has shot as many grouse as he can, then we shall be daily apprized, for the rest of the year, of the numbers of poor, wretched partridges and pheasants he has slaughtered. What a life for a human being to lead!"

Dora remembered then Miss Lomax's deeprooted prejudice on this subject, and that her father had often rallied his old friend about it; assuring her that no young gentleman was harder worked, or had proved a better man of business for his age, than his Royal Highness; that he was never known to shirk duty, was always at his post when wanted, and that she should remember princes required rest and recreation as well as other youngsters, and that "All work and no play

Would make Jack a dull boy!"

upon which she would retort indignantly,

".. All

work!' I think it is a case of 'no work and all

play,' and you know how that verse ends."

But Dora was saved any reply, or from continuing her unsatisfactory reading, for the knitting had got into sad disorder, and Miss Lomax became further provoked by finding that her guest could not help her out of the scrape. Dora happily recollected that she had seen Lisette doing the same stitch, when using up odds and ends of worsted in making a small counterpane for little Nina's crib, and suggested her being summoned; and presently she came, and, seated on a low stool at Aunt Leonora's feet, soon set the matter to rights, and gave such clear, concise rules for proceeding, that she left the old lady comfortable and composed, the flush of irritation gone from her cheeks.

Moreover, Lisette was rewarded by Aunt Leonora saying, with an approving smile (no one could smile more pleasantly or be more gracious in manner than Aunt Leonora when she chose), "Thank you!-you are a clever little gipsy. I hope Benwell gives you everything you like. Mind you have the basket of carrots

ready when we return from driving, and come and help me feed Donald-since you are not afraid of him," glancing reproachfully at Dora ; and when Lisette had departed, she added,"I was rather surprised to find that girl in your room last night, my dear, chatting and laughing with you so freely, but I can see now, she is something quite out of the common run— just the kind of little being to make a pet of; where did you get her?"

At that moment John, throwing open wide the door, announced luncheon, and Miss Lomax, laying aside her knitting, bustled up immediately, knowing he always expected instant attention to his summons; so again Dora was spared from having to answer an awkward question.

CHAPTER XIV.

A SUCCESSFUL DAY.

THAT evening's post produced great consequences. Whilst the lady of The Firs and her guest were eating their dessert in the soft twilight, John came in, presented Miss Freeling with a letter, then, passing on to his mistress, delivered one to her, directed to Godfrey Rivers. They were both from Mrs. Townshend, being invitations for her croquet party. Dora, after reading her billet, informed her hostess of its contents rather doubtingly, not knowing if she would approve of her absenting herself for a whole day of her week's visit.

But the sharp-witted old lady at once took in the whole advantages of the position, nay, recognizing Mrs. Townshend's hand-writing on

Godfrey's note, almost imagined that, being aware of her wishes on the subject, her good friend had kindly and skilfully thus schemed for Dora and Godfrey being thrown together, without the gêne and awkwardness of feeling themselves watched, and commented upon, as they might have done, if alone with her at The Firs.

She was entirely in favour of Dora sending an acceptance, saying she would forward Godfrey's note without delay; and in order to send it to the post that night, and thus insure his receiving it in proper time, she left her grapes unfinished on the plate, hurried away into the drawing-room, and was speedily at her writing table-too happy and thankful for such an opportunity, without loss of dignity, of writing some tender, conciliatory, almost penitent lines, to the child of her affections; then she diplomatically ended her love letter with this pithy sentence:-" Dora Freeling will be at Bushbank, and though you would not please me by staying here to see her, I hope you will be civil to her there, for she has been a very kind and attentive

VOL. I.

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