‘And why is he in such a hurry?’ asked Lily.

‘’Tis his nature,’ said Claude, ’besides Travers, who mentioned this school, goes away to-morrow.  My aunt is in a fine fright lest he should not come back in time.  Did not you hear her telling papa so in the drawing-room?’

‘There he is, riding up to the door,’ said Phyllis, who had joined them in the hall.  Lord Rotherwood stopped for a few moments at the door to give some directions to the servants, and then came quickly in.  ’Ah, there you are!—­What time is it?  It is all right, Claude—­ Devereux is just the right age.  I asked him a few questions this morning, and he will stand a capital examination.  Ha, Phyl, I am glad to see you.’

‘I wish you many happy returns of the day, Cousin Rotherwood.’

’Thank you, Phyl, we had better see how we get through one such day before we wish it to return.  Are the rest come?’

He went on into the drawing-room, and hastily informing his mother that he had sent the carriage to fetch Miss Aylmer and her brothers to the feast, called Claude to come out on the lawn to look at the preparations.  The bowling-green was to serve as drawing-room, and at one end was pitched an immense tent where the dinner was to be.

‘I say, Claude,’ said he in his quickest and most confused way, ’I depend upon you for one thing.  Do not let the Baron be too near me.’

‘The Baron of Beef?’ said Claude.

’No, the Baron of Beechcroft.  If you wish my speech to be radara tadara, put him where I can imagine that he hears me.’

‘Very well,’ said Claude, laughing; ‘have you any other commands?’

’No—­yes, I have though.  You know what we settled about the toasts.  Hunt up old Farmer Elderfield as soon as he comes, and do not frighten him.  If you could sit next to him and make him get up at the right time, it would be best.  Tell him I will not let any one propose my health but my great-grandfather’s tenant.  You will manage it best.  And tell Frank Hawkesworth, and Mr. Weston, or some of them, to manage so that the gentry may not sit together in a herd, two or three together would be best.  Mind, Claude, I depend on you for being attentive to all the damsels.  I cannot be everywhere at once, and I see your great Captain will be of no use to me.’

Here news was brought that the labourers had begun to arrive, and the party went to the walnut avenue, where the feast was spread.  It was pleasant to see so many poor families enjoying their excellent dinner; but perhaps the pleasantest sight was the lord of the feast speaking to each poor man with all his bright good-natured cordiality.  Mr. Mohun was surprised to see how well he knew them all, considering how short a time he had been among them, and Lilias found Florence rise in her estimation, when she perceived that the inside of the Hetherington cottages were not unknown to her.

‘Do you know, Florence,’ said she, as they walked back to the house together, ’I did you great injustice?  I never expected you to know or care about poor people.’