They had an early tea, and then Mr. Chickerel, sitting in a patriarchal chair, conversed pleasantly with his guest, being well acquainted with him through other members of the family.  They talked of Julian’s residence at different Italian towns with his sister; of Faith, who was at the present moment staying with some old friends in Melchester:  and, as was inevitable, the discourse hovered over and settled upon Ethelberta, the prime ruler of the courses of them all, with little exception, through recent years.

‘It was a hard struggle for her,’ said Chickerel, looking reflectively out at the fir trees.  ’I never thought the girl would have got through it.  When she first entered the house everybody was against her.  She had to fight a whole host of them single-handed.  There was the viscount’s brother, other relations, lawyers, ladies, servants, not one of them was her friend; and not one who wouldn’t rather have seen her arrive there in evil relationship with him than as she did come.  But she stood her ground.  She was put upon her mettle; and one by one they got to feel there was somebody among them whose little finger, if they insulted her, was thicker than a Mountclere’s loins.  She must have had a will of iron; it was a situation that would have broken the hearts of a dozen ordinary women, for everybody soon knew that we were of no family, and that’s what made it so hard for her.  But there she is as mistress now, and everybody respecting her.  I sometimes fancy she is occasionally too severe with the servants and I know what service is.  But she says it is necessary, owing to her birth; and perhaps she is right.’

‘I suppose she often comes to see you?’

‘Four or five times a year,’ said Picotee.

‘She cannot come quite so often as she would,’ said Mrs. Chickerel, ’because of her lofty position, which has its juties.  Well, as I always say, Berta doesn’t take after me.  I couldn’t have married the man even though he did bring a coronet with him.’

‘I shouldn’t have cared to let him ask ye,’ said Chickerel.  ’However, that’s neither here nor there—­all ended better than I expected.  He’s fond of her.’

’And it is wonderful what can be done with an old man when you are his darling,’ said Mrs. Chickerel.

‘If I were Berta I should go to London oftener,’ said Picotee, to turn the conversation.  ’But she lives mostly in the library.  And, O, what do you think?  She is writing an epic poem, and employs Emmeline as her reader.’

’Dear me.  And how are Sol and Dan?  You mentioned them once in your letters,’ said Christopher.

‘Berta has set them up as builders in London.’

‘She bought a business for them,’ said Chickerel.  ’But Sol wouldn’t accept her help for a long time, and now he has only agreed to it on condition of paying her back the money with interest, which he is doing.  They have just signed a contract to build a hospital for twenty thousand pounds.’