And after a few words to Mr. Adams, off he went, walking as fast as he could, and leaving the young ladies not without fear of another invasion.  Soon, however, the brothers came in, and presently after Mrs. Weston appeared.  It was agreed that Lord Rotherwood should be left to his own devices, and they set out for the concert-room.  Poor Florence lost much pleasure in disappointment at his non-appearance, but when the concert was over they found him sitting in the carriage, reading.  As soon as they appeared he sprang out, and came to meet them, pouring rapidly out a history of his adventures.

‘Then you have found them, and what can be done for them?’

’Everything ought to be done, but Mrs. Aylmer has a spirit of independence.  That foolish woman’s advertisement was unknown to her till Emily’s five pounds came in, so fine a nest-egg that she could not help cackling, whereupon Mrs. Aylmer insisted on having every farthing returned.’

‘Can she provide the boy’s outfit?’

’She says so, or rather that her daughter can, but I shall see about that.  It is worth while to be of age.  Imagine!  That bank which failed was the end of my father’s legacy.  They must have lived on a fraction of nothing!  Edward went to sea.  Miss Aylmer went out as a governess.  Now she is at home.’

‘Miss Aylmer!’ exclaimed Miss Weston, ’I know she was a clergyman’s daughter.  Do you know the name of the family she lived with?’

‘Was it Grant?’ said William.  ’I remember hearing of her going to some Grants.’

‘It was,’ said Alethea; ‘she must be the same.  Is she at home?’

‘Yes,’ said Lord Rotherwood, ’and you may soon see her, for I mean to have them all to stay at the castle as soon as our present visitors are gone.  My mother and Florence shall call upon them on Friday.’

‘Now,’ said Claude, ’I have not found out what brought them back to Raynham.’

’Have you lived at Beechcroft all your life, and never discovered that there is a grammar-school at Raynham, with special privileges for the sons of clergymen of the diocese?’

A few more words, and the cousins parted; Emily by no means sorry that she had been obliged to go to Raynham.  She tendered the five-pound note to her father, but he desired her to wait till Friday, and then to bring him a full account of her expenditure of the year.  Her irregular ways made this almost impossible, especially as in the present state of affairs she wished to avoid a private conference with either Lily or Jane.  She was glad that an invitation to dine and sleep at the castle on Wednesday would save her from the peril of having to talk to Lily in the evening.  Reginald came home on Tuesday, to the great joy of all the party, and especially to that of Phyllis.  This little maiden was more puzzled by the events that had taken place than conscious of the feeling which she had once thought must be so delightful.  She could scarcely help perceiving that every one was much more kind to her than usual, especially Claude and Lily, and Lord Rotherwood said things which she could not at all understand.  Her observation to Reginald was, ’Was it not lucky I had a cough on Twelfth Day, or Claude would not have told me what to do about gunpowder?’