They all missed him more or less, but nobody more than Lucy.  His conversation had a peculiar charm for her.  His knowledge of current events was unparalleled; then there was a quiet potency in him she thought very becoming in a man; and then his manner.  He was the first of our unfortunate sex who had reached beau ideal.  One was harsh, another finicking; a third loud; a fourth enthusiastic; a fifth timid; and all failed in tact except Mr. Hardie.  Then, other male voices were imperfect; they were too insignificant or too startling, too bass or too treble, too something or too other.  Mr. Hardie’s was a mellow tenor, always modulated to the exact tone of good society.  Like herself, too, he never laughed loud, seldom out; and even his smiles, like her own, did not come in unmeaning profusion, so they told when they did come.

The Bazalgettes led a very quiet life for the next fortnight, for Mrs. Bazalgette was husbanding invitations for Mr. Hardie’s return.

Mrs. Bazalgette yawned many times during this barren period, but with considerate benevolence she shielded Lucy from ennui. Lucy was a dressmaker, gifted, but inexperienced; well, then, she would supply the latter deficiency by giving her an infinite variety of alterations to make in a multitude of garments.  There are egotists who charge for tuition, but she would teach her dear niece gratis.  A mountain of dresses rose in the drawing-room, a dozen metamorphoses were put in hand, and a score more projected.

“She pulled down, she built up, she rounded the angular, and squared the round.”  And here Mr. Bazalgette took perverse views and misbehaved.  He was a very honest man, but not a refined courtier.  He seldom interfered with these ladies, one way or other, except to provide funds, which interference was never snubbed; for was he not master of the house in that sense?  But, having observed what was going on day after day in the drawing-room or workshop, he walked in and behaved himself like a brute.

“How much a week does she give you, Lucy?” said he, looking a little red.

Lucy opened her eyes in utter astonishment, and said nothing; her very needle and breath were suspended.

Mrs. Bazalgette shrugged her shoulders to Lucy, but disdained words.  Mr. Bazalgette turned to his wife.

“I have often recommended economy to you, Jane, I need not say with what success; but this sort of economy is not for your credit or mine.  If you want to add a dressmaker to your staff—­with all my heart.  Send for one when you like, and keep her to all eternity.  But this young lady is our ward, and I will not have her made a servant of for your convenience.”

“Put your work down, dear,” said Mrs. Bazalgette resignedly.  “He does not understand our affection, nor anything else except pounds, shillings and pence.”

“Oh, yes I do.  I can see through varnished selfishness for one thing.”

“You certainly ought to be a judge of the unvarnished article,” retorted the lady.