LADY CONSTANCE'S TROUBLES.

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'But it will be just your dinner time,' said Constance. 'Your uncle and papa had to go with Barnley on some particular business,' replied Lady Constance ; and I have put off dinner till they return. I came just now to tell them the carriage was waiting.'

'I am glad you will walk with us, mamma,' said Constance, 'for of course I shall go too; I have scarcely seen you to-day.'

'I have been extremely busy,' returned her mother. 'I have been hunting through boxes and desks for something your papa has lost, which is of great importance, and I am tired and vexed too at not finding it. I cannot tell you more at present.'

'Mamma,' Constance began again, as they walked towards the house, are you glad that Cousin Oliver came back? I do not like him at all, he looks so cross; and there has been a sort of fuss and confusion ever since he arrived. Are you glad?'

Agnes pulled her arm gently, for she saw that Lady Constance's eyes were full of tears.

'Let us make haste with tea,' she said to Constance; then we can the sooner come out again to your mamma.'

'What can be the matter?' cried Constance, throw ing herself on the sofa, as soon as they reached the schoolroom. 'Mamma seems quite annoyed about something; of course it is something that this tiresome

C

Cousin Oliver has done or said. I wish he had stayed in Australia. I wish the kangaroos had eaten him. You need not laugh, Georgie, I hate him!'

'If I were you,' said Agnes, 'I certainly should not ask your mamma again if she is glad he came home. I should say nothing about him. Perhaps he will go away soon, and then you will be all right again.'

'I am afraid he will not go,' said Constance dolefully. He used to live here formerly, so I suppose he has no other home; and I am sure it will be very disagreeable if a great black cross-looking man like that is to stay here for ever, making papa and mamma uncomfortable. But come, let us have our tea; perhaps mamma is eager to set out.'

Constance had a large airy room as a schoolroom, with everything in it that a little girl could possibly want. It was, indeed, a contrast to the tiny little slip at the Lodge which was devoted to Agnes and Georgie. And there was as much contrast in the evening meal, which Constance called her tea. She had always cold game or chicken, abundance of fresh fruit, cakes and rolls, marmalade or preserves.

'Do you always have this sort of tea,' Georgie said; 'or is it only in honour of us?'

'I always have just the same,' Constance said. 'The gardener always picks out the best fruit to come in here for me.'

VISIT TO MRS. WALTON.

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'And you sit here all by yourself, with this feast! for I call it a feast,' said Georgie.

'Well, it is rather solitary,' said Constance, smiling, now that Miss Ross is away; but it is very seldom she leaves me. I expect her back next week. Oh, mamma,' she exclaimed, as Lady Constance came in, we are nearly ready; are you in a hurry?'

Constance gave us such a large tea,' said Agnes, that we were much longer getting through it than we are at home, where we have only bread and butter. But now, Constance, I am ready.'

Their hats were soon on, and they set out down the park road. Lady Constance was very silent, and Agnes, feeling that something was amiss, did not venture to speak to her; and she was glad that Georgie engaged Constance in jumping backwards and forwards across the little rill that ran down the park, at some places not above two or three feet broad. It was a relief when they reached the Lodge. Agnes ran in to tell her mamma Lady Constance had come with them, and Mrs. Walton met her at the door.

Am I to congratulate you,' she said, 'on your acquisition? Will poor Oliver's arrival be a pleasure and comfort?'

'I have very much to say on that subject,' she replied; 'let us go in.'

Mrs. Walton took her into the little drawing-room;

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and the three girls, seeing they were not wanted, went into the garden. In about half an hour Constance was sent for, and went home with her mother.

Georgie immediately assailed her mother with questions. Do tell us something about this strange, disagreeable-looking Oliver,' she said; he has put Mr. Norland in a bad temper; at least he said scarcely a word to us, and generally he is so nice and pleasant; and he has vexed Lady Constance, for she looked grave and sad. Do tell us what he has done, or is going to do.'

'You say nothing, Agnes,' said Mrs Walton; 'are you not curious too?'

'Yes, mamma,' replied Agnes, 'I confess that I am very curious; for I cannot imagine why the arrival of a missing cousin should cause anything but joy. But I did not ask, because Lady Constance would say nothing when her own daughter asked her; so I did not know whether you would wish to tell us.'

'Constance must soon hear,' said Mrs Walton ; and in case she should come down here suddenly, I think it is best to explain the whole matter to you. Sit down by me and I will tell you about it.'

CHAPTER III.

Mrs. Walton relates to her Daughters the Early History of Frederic and Oliver Norland-They hear of the Loss of the Will-Mr. Norland and Lady Constance decide to leave the Abbey-Constance goes to reside at the Lodge with Agnes and Georgie.

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HE girls settled themselves comfortably in the corner of the sofa.

'Now I must begin,' said Mrs. Walton, 'rather far back. You perhaps do not know how these cousins were related. Old Mr. Norland, the last possessor of this place, had one brother and one sister. The brother died several years ago, leaving his son Oliver to the care of his uncle, with the idea certainly that Oliver would inherit the Abbey at his uncle's death, for he was his nearest relation, and his lawful heir. Then Mr. Norland's sister married a distant cousin bearing the same name; and when he died, five or six years after their marriage, the widow, with one son, came to live with her brother at the Abbey. So, you see, Mr. Norland was left in charge of Oliver Norland