vided with a second pair in their heads, like Santa Lucia," said she. "If hers were as dangerous as some people's, that ought never to have been allowed," said he, bowing himself out. CHAPTER X. "That fair female troop thou saw'st that seem'd BREAKFAST was never very early in Wel- "My husband won't put in an appearance just yet, I am afraid, for he sat up till nearly two this morning finishing an article for that tiresome old Black and Blue, and he was still asleep when I came down. Well, Charlie, and what are your plans for entertaining Mr. Pike this morning?" "I don't think I've got any. We shall be in time for service at St. Peter's, sha'n't “If he likes and you like. But I don't call poor Mr. Partridge a very brilliant specimen. He gives us the service in broad Yorkshire," she added, turning to Walter with a laugh. Walter laughed too. 66 "Well, mother," said Charlie, rather decidedly, "Walter may do as he likes, but I shall go there because it's our Own church." If Charlie was something of a prig, it was perhaps not much to be wondered at. "Charlie takes after his father," said Mrs. Sowerby, again addressing Walter, "in having no ear whatever for music, else he could never stand those butchers' and grocers' boys whom Mr. Partridge will persist in popping into surplices, and who sing about "my my-outh," and "down upon the gry-ound," said she, imitating their Cockney pronunciation, while Walter laughed, and Charlie reddened angrily, and at last exclaimed, "Well, mother, only the last time Mr. Partridge dined. here, you complimented him on the music in his church!" "Did I? Well, I must have been dreadfully at a loss for what to say next, if I did; but I really do not remember doing so. I know he made me most nervous and uncomfortable all the evening. But your father always thinks it right to ask him once a year, and he's always coming to look after auntie. I will say he's a good little man in that. And she likes it. Every one to his taste." "How is Miss Carew this morning?" 66 Oh, she has not had a very easy night, she says, or rather I guessed it, by the extent to which her candle had been burnt, and the grey lines under her eyes! I told her I should stay at home and take care of her this morning, so don't let me keep you, Messieurs, if you are wanting to be off." The two youths left the room, and went together to St. Peter's. Walter, delighted to have an opportunity of using Lina's prayer book, and, we fear, trying to recall in imagination the dear little rosy-tipped fingers that used to hold it, and to fancy how the day was passing at Thornwell. It was odd, considering how much Mrs. Sowerby deserted her sister in the week, what a great affection she showed for her on Sundays. Blanche had various regular ways of her own for spending the day, in particular of reading a good portion of the service at the time when it was actually taking place in church. What was her dismay, therefore, just as her maid had settled her on her couch, put the wire guard on the fire, and supplied her with her little collection of Sunday books, to hear Amoret come in, and see her glide |