’No, I am not wanted.  In fact, I do not see how you can be required, but anything will serve as an excuse.  In justice, however, I should add that our friends at the Terrace are disposed to think well of the younger part of the family.’

Except for the cold constraint of the tone, Louis could have thought much ground gained, but he was sure that his holiday would be damped by knowing that it was conceded at the cost of much distress and uneasiness.

Going to Northwold early enough for a call at No. 5, he was greeted by Mrs. Frost with, ’My dear! what have you been about?  I never saw your father so much pleased in his life!  He came in on purpose to tell me, and I thought it exceedingly kind.  So you took him in completely.  What an impudent rogue you always were!’

’I never meant it to go beyond the study.  I was obliged to write it down in self-defence, that I might know what he was talking of.’

’I believe he expects you to be even with Sydney Calcott after all.  It is really very clever.  Where did you get all those funny stories?’

‘What! you have gone and read it!’

’Ah, ha!  Mrs. Ponsonby gave us a pretty little literary soiree.  Don’t be too proud, it was only ourselves, except that Mary brought in Miss Conway.  Jem tried to read it, but after he had made that Spanish Society into ‘Hammer men dead,’ Mary got it away from him, and read through as if it had been in print.’

‘What an infliction!’

’It is very disrespectful to think us so frivolous.  We only wished all reviews were as entertaining.’

‘It is too bad, when I only wanted to mystify my father.’

’It serves you right for playing tricks.  What have you been doing to him, Louis?  You will turn him into a doting father before long.’

‘What have you done with Clara?’

’She goes every day to read Italian with Miss Conway, and the governess is so kind as to give her drawing lessons.  She is learning far more than at school, and they are so kind!  I should hardly know how to accept it, but Jem does not object, and he is really very useful there, spends a great deal of time on the boy, and is teaching the young ladies Latin.’

’They are leaving you lonely in the holidays!  You ought to come to Ormersfield, your nephews would take better care of you.’

’Ah!  I have my Marys.  If I were only better satisfied about the dear old one.  She is far less well than when she came.’

‘Indeed!  Is Mary uneasy?’

’She says nothing, but you know how her eye is always on her, and she never seems to have her out of her thoughts.  I am afraid they are worried about Lima.  From what Oliver says, I fear Mr. Ponsonby goes on worse than ever without either his family or his appointment to be a restraint.’

’I hope they do not know all!  Mary would not believe it, that is one comfort!’

’Ah, Louis! there are things that the heart will not believe, but which cut it deeply!  However, if that could be any comfort to them, he wishes them to spare nothing here.  He tells them they may live at the rate of five thousand pounds a-year, poor dears.  Indeed, he and Oliver are in such glory over their Equatorial steam navigation, that I expect next to hear of a crash.’