management than that of Mrs. Bunce the housekeeper, who has managed
it ever since I was a baby; and that if I could not have Mary
Crofton, I would have no one at all. I told papa what an
indefatigable darling you were, and how conscientiously you would
perform anything you promised to do. So, after a good deal of
discussion, the matter was settled; and here we are, with the house
all to ourselves, and the prospect of being alone together for six
months to come.'

I asked her if she had seen much of Mr. Stormont since that
memorable Sunday afternoon.

'He has been here twice,' she said, 'for his usual short visit from
Saturday afternoon till Monday morning, and he has treated me just
as if that uncomfortable interview had never taken place.'

We were very happy together in the great lonely house, amongst old
servants, who seemed to take a pleasure in waiting on us. We spent
our mornings and evenings in Milly's sitting-room, and took our
meals in a snug prettily-furnished breakfast-room on the ground-
floor. We read together a great deal, going through a systematic
course of study of a very different kind from the dry labours at
Albury Lodge. There was a fine old library at Thornleigh, and we
read the masters of English and French prose together with
unflagging interest and pleasure. Besides all this, Milly worked
hard at her music, and still harder at her painting, which was a
real delight to her.

Mr. Collingwood the rector, and his family, came to see us, and
insisted on our visiting them frequently in a pleasant unceremonious