‘Come,’ said the Doctor, as the cloth was cleared, ’I must bargain for one toast, Lady Annabel:  “Church and State."’

‘What is Church and State?’ said Venetia.

‘As good things.  Miss Venetia, as strawberries and cream,’ said the Doctor, laughing; ‘and, like them, always best united.’

After their repast, the children went into the garden to amuse themselves.  They strolled about some time, until Plantagenet at length took it into his head that he should like to learn to play at bowls; and he said, if Venetia would wait in the grotto, where they then were talking, he would run back and ask the Doctor if the servant might teach him.  He was not long absent; but appeared, on his return, a little agitated.  Venetia inquired if he had been successful, but he shook his head, and said he had not asked.

‘Why did you not?’ said Venetia.

‘I did not like,’ he replied, looking very serious; ’something happened.’

‘What could have happened?’ said Venetia.

‘Something strange,’ was his answer.

‘Oh, do tell me, Plantagenet!’

‘Why,’ said he, in a low voice, ‘your mamma is crying.’

‘Crying!’ exclaimed Venetia; ’my dear mamma crying!  I must go to her directly.’

‘Hush!’ said Plantagenet, shaking his head, ‘you must not go.’

‘I must.’

‘No, you must not go, Venetia,’ was his reply; ’I am sure she does not want us to know she is crying.’

‘What did she say to you?’

‘She did not see me; the Doctor did, and he gave me a nod to go away.’

‘I never saw mamma cry,’ said Venetia.

‘Don’t you say anything about it, Venetia,’ said Plantagenet, with a manly air; ‘listen to what I say.’

’I do, Plantagenet, always; but still I should like to know what mamma can be crying about.  Do tell me all about it.’

’Why, I came to the room by the open windows, and your mamma was standing up, with her back to me, and leaning on the mantel-piece, with her face in her handkerchief; and the Doctor was standing up too, only his back was to the fireplace; and when he saw me, he made me a sign to go away, and I went directly.’

‘Are you sure mamma was crying?’

‘I heard her sob.’

‘I think I shall cry,’ said Venetia.

’You must not; you must know nothing about it.  If you let your mamma know that I saw her crying, I shall never tell you anything again.’

‘What do you think she was crying about, Plantagenet?’

’I cannot say; perhaps she had been talking about your papa.  I do not want to play at bowls now,’ added Plantagenet; ’let us go and see the cows.’

In the course of half an hour the servant summoned the children to the house.  The horses were ready, and they were now to return.  Lady Annabel received them with her usual cheerfulness.

‘Well, dear children,’ said she, ‘have you been very much amused?’