like.'

'That's nothing to the purpose,' replied James. 'Though it is to be
considered whether Ormersfield is likely to be the best preparation
for Clara's future life. However, I see you wish it--'

'I confess that I do, for a few months at least, which need interfere
neither with Clara nor with you. I have not seen Lord Ormersfield
so eager for many years, and I should be very sorry to prevent those
two from being comfortably together in the old home--'

'And can't that be without a chaperon?' exclaimed James, laughing.
'Why, his lordship is fifty-five, and she can't be much less. That
is a good joke.'

'It is not punctilio,' said his grandmother, looking distressed. 'It
is needful to be on the safe side with such a man as Mr. Ponsonby.
My fear is that he may send her home with orders not to come near
us.'

'She used to be always at Ormersfield in the old times.'

'Yes, when my sister was alive. Ah! you were too young to know about
those matters then. The fact was, that things had come to such a
pass from Mr. Ponsonby's neglect and unkindness, that Lord
Ormersfield, standing in the place of her brother, thought it right
to interfere. His mother went to London with him, to bring poor Mary
and her little girl back to Ormersfield, and there they were till my
sister's death, when of course they could not remain. Mr. Ponsonby
had just got his appointment as British envoy in Peru, and wished her