“And I should choose to tend some sort of live-stock.  In the way of minor industries I am convinced that a great deal may be put in their way only by taking thought.  I shall lay parcels of land together for spade cultivation—­the men will have a market at their own doors; then poultry farms—­”

“Not forgetting the cock-pit for Sunday amusement,” interrupted Lady Angleby sarcastically.  “You are too Utopian, Sir Edward.  Your colony will be a dismal failure and disappointment if you conduct it on such a sentimental plan.”

Sir Edward colored.  He had a love of approbation, and her ladyship was an authority.  He sought to propitiate her better opinion, and resumed:  “There shall be no inexorable rule.  A man may work his six days in the pit if it be his good-will, but he shall have the chance of a decent existence above ground if he refuse to live in darkness and peril more than three or four.  Schools and institutes are very good things in their place, and I shall not neglect to provide them, but I do not expect that more than a slender minority of my colliers will ever trouble the reading-room much.  Let them feed pigs and grow roses.”

“They will soon not know what they want.  The common people grow more exacting every day—­even our servants.  You will have some fine stories of trouble and vexation to tell us before long.”

Sir Edward looked discouraged, and Bessie Fairfax, with her impulsive kind heart, exclaimed, “No, no!  In all labor there is profit, and if you work at doing your best for those who depend on your land, you will not be disappointed.  Men are not all ungrateful.”

Sir Edward certainly was not.  He thanked Miss Fairfax energetically, and just then the carriage stopped at the “George.”  Mr. Fairfax and Mr. Cecil Burleigh came out in the most cheerful good-humor, and Mr. Cecil Burleigh began to tell Bessie that she did not know how much she had done for him by securing Buller’s vote; it had drawn others after it.  Bessie was delighted, and was not withheld by any foolish shyness from proclaiming that her mind was set on his winning his election.

“You ought to take these two young people into your counsels, Cecil; they have some wonderful devices for the promotion of contentment amongst coal-miners,” said Lady Angleby.  Mr. Fairfax glanced in his granddaughter’s innocent, rosy face, and shook hands with Sir Edward as he got out of the carriage.  Mr. Cecil Burleigh said that wisdom was not the monopoly of age, and then he inquired where they were going.

They were going to call at the manor on Lady Eden, and to wind up with a visit to Mr. Laurence Fairfax in the Minster Court.  Mr. Fairfax said he would meet them there, and the same said Mr. Cecil Burleigh.  Sir Edward Lucas stood halting on the inn-steps, wistfully hoping for a bidding to come too.  Lady Angleby was even kinder than his hopes; she asked if he had any engagement for the evening, and when he answered in the negative she invited him to come and dine at Brentwood again.  He accepted with joy unfeigned.