There had been something almost ludicrous in the apologies to her.  His mother seemed to feel like a traitor to her, and Mr. Charnock could hardly reconcile his darling’s deposition with his pride in the newcomer.  Both she and Raymond had honestly rejoiced in their happiness and the continuance of the direct line of Dunstone, and had completed the rejoicing of the parents by thorough sympathy, when the party with this unlooked-for addition had returned home in the spring.  Mrs. Charnock had insisted on endowing his daughter as largely as he justly could, to compensate for this change in her expectations, and was in doubt between Swanmore, an estate on the Backsworth side of Willansborough, and Sirenwood itself, to purchase and settle on her.  Raymond would greatly have preferred Sirenwood, both from its adjoining the Compton property and as it would be buying out the Vivians; but there were doubts about the involvements, and nothing could be done till Eleonora’s majority.  Mr. Charnock preferred Swanmore as an investment, and Raymond could, of course, not press his wishes.

A short visit had been made at Dunstone to join in the festivities in honour of the little heir, but Cecil had not been at Compton since Christmas, though Raymond had several times gone home for a Sunday when she had other companionship.  Charlie had been with them preparing his outfit for India whither he had been gone about a month; and Frank, though living in lodgings, was the more frequently at his sister-in-law’s service, because wherever she was the Vivian sisters might be looked for.

No sooner had Raymond taken the house in —–­ Square than Lady Tyrrell had engaged the opposite one, so that one household could enjoy evening views of the other’s interior, and Cecil had chiefly gone into society under her friend’s auspices.  Her presentation at Court had indeed been by the marchioness; she had been staying with an old friend of Mrs. Poynsett’s, quite prepared to be intimate with Raymond Poynsett’s wife, if only Cecil would have taken to her.  But that lady’s acceptance of any one recommended in this manner was not to be thought of, and besides, the family were lively, merry people, and Cecil was one of those who dislike and distrust laughter, lest it should be at themselves.  So she remained on coldly civil terms with that pleasant party, and though to a certain degree following her husband’s lead as to her engagements, all her ways were moulded by her friend’s influence.  Nor was the effect otherwise than becoming.  Nothing could be in better taste than all in Mrs. Charnock Poynsett’s establishment, and London and Lady Tyrrell together had greatly improved her manners.  All her entertainments went off well, and she filled her place in the world with grace and skill, just as she had always figured herself doing.