To return to the drawing-room:  Mrs. Bazalgette, after the above delicate discussion, sat there in ambush, knowing more of Lucy’s affairs than Lucy knew.  Her next point was to learn Lucy’s sentiments, and to find whether she was deliberately playing false and breaking her promise, vide.

“Well, Lucy, any lovers yet?”

“No, aunt.”

“Take care, Lucy, a little bird whispers in my ear.”

“Then it is a humming-bird,” and Lucy pouted.  “Now, aunt, did you really come to Font Abbey to tease me about such nonsense as—­as—­gentlemen?” and Lucy looked hurt.

“Here’s an actress for you,” thought Mrs. Bazalgette; but she calmly dropped the subject, and never recurred to it openly all the evening, but lay secretly in watch, and put many subtle but seeming innocent questions to her niece about her habits, her uncle’s guest, whether her uncle kept a horse for her, whether he bought it for her, etc., etc.

The next morning Mrs. Bazalgette breakfasted in bed, during which process she rang her bell seven times.  Lucy received at the breakfast-table a letter from her uncle.

“MY DEAR NIECE—­The funeral was yesterday, and, I flatter myself, well performed:  there were five-and-twenty carriages.  After that a luncheon, in the right style, and then to the reading of the will.  And here I shall surprise you, but not more than I was myself:  I am left 5,000 pounds consols.  My worthy friend, whose loss we are called on so suddenly to deplore, accompanied this bequest in his will with many friendly expressions of esteem, which I have always studied and shall study to deserve.  He bequeathed to me also, during minority, the care of his boy, the heir to this fine property, which far exceeds the value I had imagined.  There is a letter attached to the will; in compliance with it Arthur is to go to Cambridge, but not until he has been well prepared.  He will therefore accompany me to Font Abbey to-morrow, and I must contrive somehow or other to find him a mathematical tutor in the neighborhood.  There is a handsome allowance made out of the estate for his board, etc., etc.

“He is an interesting boy, and has none of the rudeness and mischievousness they generally have—­blue eyes, soft, silky, flaxen hair, and as modest as a girl.  His orphaned state merits kindness, and his prospects entitle him to consideration.  I mention this because I fancy, when we last discussed this matter, I saw a little disposition on your part to be satirical at the poor boy’s expense.  I am sure, however, that you will restrain this feeling at my request, and treat him like a younger brother.  I only wish he was three or four years older—­you understand me, miss.

“To-morrow afternoon, then, we shall be at Font Abbey.  Let him have the east room, and tell Brown to light a blazing fire in my bedroom. and warm and air every mortal thing, on pain of death.

“Your affectionate uncle,