returned to Cambridge, leaving the home party at the minimum of four,
since, Cocksmoor Parsonage being complete, Richard had become only a
daily visitor instead of a constant inhabitant.

There he sat, occupying his never idle hands with a net that he kept
for such moments, whilst Ethel sat behind her urn, now giving out its
last sighs, profiting by the leisure to read the county newspaper,
while she continually filled up her cup with tea or milk as occasion
served, indifferent to the increasing pallor of the liquid.

Mary, a 'fine young woman,' as George Rivers called her, of blooming
face and sweet open expression, had begun, at Gertrude's entreaty, a
game of French billiards. Gertrude had still her childish sunny face
and bright hair, and even at the trying age of twelve was pleasing,
chiefly owing to the caressing freedom of manner belonging to an
unspoilable pet. Her request to Aubrey to join the sport had been
answered with a half petulant shake of the head, and he flung himself
into his father's chair, his long legs hanging over one arm--an
attitude that those who had ever been under Mrs. May's discipline
thought impossible in the drawing-room; but Aubrey was a rival pet,
and with the family characteristics of aquiline features, dark gray
eyes, and beautiful teeth, had an air of fragility and easy languor
that showed his exercise of the immunities of ill-health. He had
been Ethel's pupil till Tom's last year at Eton, when he was sent
thither, and had taken a good place; but his brother's vigilant and
tender care could not save him from an attack on the chest, that
settled his public-school education for ever, to his severe
mortification, just when Tom's shower of honours was displaying to
him the sweets of emulation and success. Ethel regained her pupil,
and put forth her utmost powers for his benefit, causing Tom to