and there; but men and women, one and all, said they weren't going to budge until they have orders from proper quarters, and so they're there yet.'

This was strange news to May, but as she had no remark to make on it, and old Bettie broke out into a low whimper that fell discordantly on her ear, she said that she would go up to the house at once.

The grounds and gardens were still preserved in their usual perfect order, and it was not until she reached the house that she could appreciate the entireness of the change that had taken place since she was last there; but that was closely shut up, and there was not even a servant in sight.

When she knocked, bars and bolts had to be withdrawn before she could be admitted, and on seeing her, a footman, who opened the door, appeared confused, and met her with a look between astonishment and doubt.

She walked into the hall, and asked for Mrs. Evans, then tried to open the drawing-room door.

But the handle would not turn, and the man, looking distressed, said that there was not a room in the house open-that every place was locked except the servants' offices. While he went in search of the housekeeper, May waited in the hall thinking over the strange novelty of her position, until to her joy she saw Argus strolling lazily by. He gave one look at her, and then began to show evident marks of excitement.

Fairly overcome at the sight of this one friend, she sat down on a chair to caress him, and as he turned round and round with delight at seeing her, her tears fell fast over his shaggy coat. When Mrs. Evans appeared, she confirmed the statement made at the lodge, and asked May for directions as to how they should act.

She was so demonstrative in her regret (pitying May for the death of Sir Lionel, and herself for the prospect of being again thrown on the world) as to be entirely out of harmony with May's mood: she told her that she should hear from some one shortly, and calling to Argus, who willingly followed her, left the house.

The footman waited at hand to open the door, and as he did so said, by way of sympathy,

'You wouldn't believe, Miss, how that dog did fret at first; he was found lying on your bed, and when he was punished for that, he lay down on the mat outside the room. There was a golosh in the hall, and he wasn't satisfied unless he could put his head upon it. Anything that belonged to you would please him, no matter what. For a long time he was quite off his feed, and to this day he's noways himself.'

May could only smile good-naturedly, her heart was too full to speak.

Outside the lodge gate she found her mamma and Lord Agramont awaiting her. Not feeling happy at the thought of her making the return journey alone, they had followed in the carriage.

Fairly spent, May was by no means unwilling to exchange her seat on Daylight for one that required less of her attention, and it was, besides, a relief to communicate her news to some one she knew to be interested, so that she left Daylight to be led home, and was soon in comfortable keeping, unburdening her mind of all she had to tell.

'I shall not be surprised at some legal difficulties arising,' said Lord Agramont, thoughtfully. Poor Shelley was not a business man.'

Inquiries were at once instituted, and it was ascertained that,

PROSPECT OF LAW.

337 with the exception of a few thousand pounds left to May, Sir Lionel's property was divided between William Bryant and various charities, all of which were under control of Roman Catholics. Convinced that it was not a fair will, Lord Agramont determined that the Warren should not pass from May without a contest, and at once put the affair into his lawyer's hands, and recommended that the subject should not be one for family discussion.

May did not regard her pecuniary loss, but she could not understand not being allowed to go home and secure her own personal treasures things in which she thought no one else could have any right; and she had a strong feeling of dissatisfaction at the success that had attended William Bryant's scheming; but as there was nothing at Croyland to remind her of her loss or encourage grief, she gradually recovered her mirthful spirits.

CHAPTER XXV.

Trifles, light as air,

Are to the jealous confirmation strong
As proofs of Holy Writ.'

UCH capital fun!' exclaimed May, entering the

room in which her mamma was sitting. 'You must know, Helen trusted herself to my charioteership on her way to one of the cottages, and that when we arrived at our destination we both jumped out of the carriage, and left Clary to wait our pleasure. Very soon we heard a loud hallooing, and going out to see what was the matter, found she had disappeared! What pranks do you think the saucy little creature had been up to? Attracted, we suppose, by a savoury smell, she had walked in at an open gate to the place where the haymakers were cooking their dinners, and her first exploit was to upset a huge pot of potatoes, and, after exposing them to the cooling breezes, to swallow them; Helen thinks the men said. pot and all-but let that pass. Pudding followed, in orthodox fashion; of these she swallowed six (each tied up in a cloth), and, for dessert, took a straw hat off the head of a sleeping What's to be done?' she asked, merrily. 'It is not fair the men should lose their dinner. I told them to follow us, and there's such a tribe of them waiting! That kind Robert

man.

THE KNIGHT OF THE MERRY LAUGH. 339

Lee advised that they should not come up to the house; but I thought we should find a way of satisfying them. I didn't know there would be so many.' As she turned to go with Lady Agramont from the room, she saw Vero Drummond standing in the hall.

She greeted him with frank pleasure. He confessed to have overheard the explanation of the crowd outside, and at once offered his help in dispersing it.

May introduced her mamma, who, upon hearing his name, looked much interested, and after giving him a warm welcome, eagerly inquired when he had last seen her son.

Vero replied that he had left him in hospital at Balaklava a month since; that although sounder than it was once supposed he ever could be, he was requiring good nursing; and that he should be glad to see him in England again.

Lady Agramont's expression was anxious, and for a moment she seemed preoccupied with her own thoughts; but the hum of voices outside reminding her that there were others besides herself who had cause for anxiety, she said, absently,

'I suppose the tables had better be laid in the servants' hall. I imagine they will have to be content with a cold collation.' 'Allow me to undertake for you,' said Vero, gallantly.

And Lady Agramont gratefully accepting the offer, he at once went to confront the shy-looking community collected outside the house.

Is it on the subject of potatoes you've come?' he asked, addressing them in a loquacious rattling style peculiar to himself. 'I've just come from the Crimea, so that it won't take much to convince you that I know the difference in value between a potato cooked and a potato raw, or the discomfort of being done out of a meal when one's hungry. The bad part