to see the workhouse; and though we might leave them at home, it will be better not."

Eleanor sighed at the prospect of exchanging a cheerful evening at the castle for the society of an elderly gentleman, whose only interest in life seemed to be the faults of the poor-laws. The sigh was not utterly selfish; it was as much for her brother as herself; and she ventured to add a petition for him : but Mrs. Wentworth negatived the idea instantly.

"Charles! oh dear! no. He was much too great a stranger to go by himself; he would be quite a burden to Lord Rutherford; and, moreover "but this time Mrs. Wentworth's thoughts were not betrayed by an undertone; and Eleanor could only conjecture that the "moreover" might have some reference to Miss Charlton. She was not forbidden, however, to go to the castle in the morning-that was some satisfaction; and she might see Blanche; she might just have a glimpse of Adelaide Charlton; and, without hesitation, she expressed her intention to her mother. They had not meet the preceding day, she said; and Blanche would think it unkind if she were not to go near her.

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Lady Blanche will call upon you, my dear; if she is anxious about it," said Mrs. Wentworth, quietly and coldly.

Eleanor changed colour. "Anxious about it, dear mamma; what can you mean?"

Nothing, my dear; only I think you might as well leave the castle for to-day."

A torrent of eager words seemed about to rush forth, for Eleanor's eyes flashed with anger and vexation. Mrs. Wentworth stopped her before the first word was spoken. "My love, you have trusted me always; do you doubt now that I would make you happy in your own way if it were right?"

K

The haughty spirit was subdued in an instant, and Eleanor's arm was thrown round her mother's neck.

Mamma, you are always right; yet you cannot love Blanche as I do."

I loved her mother," was Mrs. Wentworth's calm reply; and, as she walked slowly away, Eleanor threw herself upon a chair, and burst into tears.

CHAPTER XII.

"HERE, Pearson! stop a minute, can't you? What in the world are you going away for, Idiot?" growled Sir Hugh Charlton, helplessly stretching out his hand to reach a small hand-bell, which had unfortunately been placed just beyond his reach.

"I beg your pardon, sir; very sorry, quite forgot," muttered the stout, obsequious, black-haired, blackwhiskered, and most shrewd-looking individual, whose character was constantly summed-up by Lady Charlton, in the emphatic description of "the best creature in the world."

"The medicine, the drops! where are they? why don't you fetch them?" continued Sir Hugh, as Pearson remained by his side, pretending to adjust the pillows at his head, and eyeing with great apparent solicitude the arrangements of the gouty stool, which supported his master's feet. Pearson did not say, that he had been on the point of departure when he was brought back; he placed the hand-bell more conveniently than before, gave an additional touch to the pillows, brought the newspaper within reach, and then, as he was leaving the room, remarked, that the earl had invited some friends to dinner, so he had been told by Mr. Hilyard, the butler.

"People to dinner, did you say? Here, Pearson, where are you going? why, in the name of wonder, don't you speak out?"

"Dr. Wentworth's family from the rectory are com

ing, so Mr. Hilyard informed me, Sir Hugh; but, perhaps, you would wish me to inquire. When you have taken the medicine, if I might be allowed, I would ask." Pearson returned almost in an instant. The drops were properly measured and administered, and Sir Hugh's next order was, not to fidget about the room like a mouse, but to go and hear who was coming; an order fully expected by the ingenious Pearson, who immediately departed to gossip, for at least a quarter of an hour, in the housekeeper's

room.

He was gone, but Sir Hugh murmured still, "Wentworths! who were the Wentworths? People he had never heard of! Wentworth!" He stopped and rubbed his chin, and thought, and muttered again, "Wentworth ! yes, he did know the name, he remembered it. That intolerable fool, Pearson, where was he gone? he knew every one. Heaps of Wentworths there were everywhere-England-FranceItaly." He seized the hand-bell, but, without ringing it, called for Pearson at the highest pitch of his

voice.

The call was answered by Lady Charlton. My dear, Sir Hugh, such a noise! it quite frightens

one.

"Well! madam, and I intended it should. Here am I-Pearson gone-you away-left by my daughters-it is too bad."

"Oh! but my dear Sir Hugh, you must not be exacting. Poor children! they are only having a little music with Blanche."

"No; not with me," said a very sweet voice; and Blanche, who had just entered the room, came up to Sir Hugh's chair. "You know, Aunt Charlton, you promised I should be of use. Can I do anything for Sir Hugh? Might I not sit a little while with

him?"

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"Oh! my dear Blanche, this is too good of you," and Sir Hugh grew calm directly. Really you must excuse me-a gouty man must make a great many apologies; but that fool-my man, I mean,—a very good servant-a capital servant, Pearson-but forgetful. Lady Charlton, pray place a chair; it distresses me quite." Blanche brought a chair for herself, and placed it by Sir Hugh; her work-basket was in her hand, and again she hoped that she was not intruding.

Lady Charlton smiled, and said, "Sir Hugh would be only too happy; and, for herself, she had letters to write, very important ones; but Blanche must not fatigue herself. You can read, if you like it, my love, for a little while. Sir Hugh is a great reader, and a writer too sometimes, only I shall be in disgrace if I mention it." She looked meaningly at Sir Hugh.

"My dear Lady Charlton-Frances-you are really too bad. Blanche will be shocked; it is nothing; nothing at all, I assure you. Just a pamphlet, nothing at all to speak of. There is one- -Frances, my dearon the side table; I think you will find one. But, never mind;" seeing that Lady Charlton cast an unsearching, and unseeing eye round the room. Never mind, Pearson will find it. I can ring."

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"Pearson is going to dinner," replied Lady Charlton, rather quickly, "but Blanche, I dare say, will read to you. Let me see, that book on geology I think it was you began. My dear Blanche, I really am ashamed of myself for allowing you to have such a task. I dare say, if the truth were told, you know no more of the 'ologies' than I do; but you will learn something-names, at least. I quite marvel at myself for not being wiser, considering Sir Hugh's tastes. We had not very much science in Italy; and a great drawback it was for him. Good