’My poor Oliver, you have so learnt to think of money, that you can’t believe others live for anything else.  You’ll learn your mistake.’

’You think the young chap meant nothing?  I shall look sharp after him, then.  I look on Clara as my own.  I’ll have no trifling.’

‘You may save yourself the trouble,’ said his mother.  ’They understand each other—­they have always been like brother and sister, and I cannot have the children teased, or things put into their heads.’

Oliver laughed his scornful chuckle, and said he did not understand that sort of brother and sister, but happily he became absorbed in showing his mother the fittings of her splendid bedroom.

Clara had the comfort of clinging round her grandmother’s neck, and being told that it was all nonsense.  Jem should have his rights, and Uncle Oliver would learn to love and honour him at last; and she was a good child, and ought to have been prepared, if granny could have guessed he would do it so publicly and suddenly, but she must forgive him, for he was beside himself at having got them home again, and he could not make enough of her because she was poor Henry’s child.  So she saw granny must not be grieved, and she let herself be dressed for a constrained dinner in the vast dining-room, where the servants outnumbered the diners, and the silver covers bore the Dynevor dragon as a handle, looking as spiteful as some of the race could do.

Oliver was obliged to conclude that no offer had passed between the two young people; but on the way home next morning the Earl observed, ’Clara Frost has a fine figure, and is much improved by dress.  She shows excellent feeling, and does credit to her education.’

‘The Pendragon blood never had a finer development,’ said Louis.

’Even supposing justice done to poor James, she will have a handsome portion.  Oliver will have far more to dispose of than the five thousand pounds guaranteed to her.’

‘Poor child!’ said Louis.

’Yes, I pity her for being exposed to his parading.  He forgot the gentleman in his merchant’s office.  If you should ever have any thoughts of rescuing her from him, my approval would not be wanting, and it would be the easiest way of restoring her brother.’

’My dear father, if Clara and I were always sister and brother when she was poor, we certainly shall be no more now.’

Lord Ormersfield mentally execrated Mr. Ponsonby, and felt that he had spoken too soon.

Jane’s felicity was complete when, a few days after, she received, addressed in Lord Fitzjocelyn’s handwriting, an Illustrated News, with a whole page containing ’the reception of Mrs. Dynevor of Cheveleigh,’ with grand portraits of all the flounces and veils, many gratuitous moustaches, something passing for Oliver standing up with a wine-glass in his hand, a puppy that would have perfectly justified Mr. Ponsonby’s aversion representing Lord Fitzjocelyn, and no gaps at the banquet-table.