Albinia sent Maurice to summon Ulick to enjoy the letter in store for him.  He looked grave and embarrassed, and did not light up as usual at Bryan’s praises.  He said that his aunt, who had written to him on business, had given a bad account of Mr. Goldsmith, but Albinia hardly thought this accounted for his preoccupation, and was considering how to probe it, when her brother Maurice opened the door.  ‘Ulick O’More! that’s right; the very man I was in search of!’

‘How’s Winifred, Maurice?’

’Getting on wonderfully well.  I really think she is going to make a start, after all! and she is in such spirits herself.’

‘And the boy?’

’Oh, a thumping great fellow!  I promise you he’ll be a match for your Maurice.’

’I do believe it is to reward Winifred for sparing you in the spring when we wanted you so much!  Come, sit down, and wait for Edmund.’

’No; I’ve not a moment to stay.  I’m to meet Bury again at Woodside at six o’clock, he drove me there, and I walked on, looking in at your lodgings by the way, Ulick.’

‘I’m not there now.  I am keeping guard at the bank.’

’So they told me.  Well, I hope your guard is not too strict for you to come over to Fairmead on Sunday; we want you to do our boy the kindness to be his godfather!’

Sophy blushed with approving gratitude.

’I don’t consider that it will be a sinecure—­he squalls in such a characteristic manner that I am convinced he will rival his cousin here in all amiable and amenable qualities; so I consider it particularly desirable that he should be well provided with great disciplinarians.’

’You certainly could not find any one more accomplished in teaching dunces to read,’ said Albinia.

‘When their mammas have taught them already!’ added Ulick, laughing.  ’Thank you; but you know I can’t sleep out; Hyder Ali and I are responsible for a big chest of sovereigns, and all the rest of it.’

’Nor could I lodge you at present; so we are agreed.  My proposition is that you should drive my sister over on Sunday morning.  My wife is wearying for a sight of her; and she has not been at Fairmead on a Sunday since she left it, eh, Albinia?’

‘I suppose for such a purpose it is not wrong to use the horse,’ she said, her eyes sparkling.

’And you might put my friend Maurice between you, if you can’t go out pleasuring without him.’

’I scorn you, sir; Maurice is as good as gold; I shall leave him at home, I think, to prove that I can—­’

‘That’s the reward of merit!’ exclaimed Sophy.

‘She expects my children to corrupt him!’ quoth Mr. Ferrars.

’For shame, Maurice; that’s on purpose to make me bring him.  Well, we’ll see what papa says, and if he thinks the new black horse strong enough, or to be trusted with Mr. O’More.’

’I only wish ‘twas a jaunting car!’ cried Ulick.