hat be stolen, the thief shall fulfil the commissions, and punctually
send in the bill to the Rev. W. B. Holdsworth!'

'I shall hardly run the risk,' said Mr, Holdsworth, smiling, as he
parted with them, and disappeared within his clipped yew hedges.

'Poor, ill-used Mr. Holdsworth!' cried Aunt Catharine.

'Yes, it was base to forget the binding of that book,' said Louis,
gravely. 'I wish I knew what amends to make.'

'You owe amends far more for making a present of a commission. I
used to do the like, to save myself trouble, till I came down in the
world, and then I found it had been a mere air de grand seigneur.'

'I should not dare to serve you or Jem so; but I thought the school
was impersonal, and could receive a favour.'

'It is no favour, unless you clearly define where the commission
ended and the gift began. Careless benefits oblige no one.'

Fitzjocelyn received his aunt's scoldings very prettily. His manner
to her was a becoming mixture of the chivalrous, the filial, and the
playful. Mary watched it as a new and pretty picture. All his
confidence, too, seemed to be hers; but who could help pouring out
his heart to the ever-indulgent, sympathizing Aunt Catharine? It was
evidently the greatest treat to him to have her for his guest, and
his attention to her extended even to the reading a sermon to her in
the evening, to spare her eyes; a measure so entirely after Aunt
Melicent's heart, that Mary decided that even she would not think her