year, I have nothing to complain of."

"I should think not," grunted Thomas. "I've been twenty years
with Miss Loach, and a good 'un she is. I entered her service
when I was fifteen, and she could have married an earl--Lord
Caranby wanted to marry her--but she wouldn't."

"Lor," said Mrs. Pill, "and ain't that his lordship's nephew
who comes here at times?"

"Mr. Mallow? Yes! That's him. He's fond of the old lady."

"And fond of her niece, too," giggled Geraldine; "not but what
Miss Saxon is rather sweet."

"Rather sweet," growled the cook, "why, she's a lovely gal,
sich as you'll never be, in spite of your fine name. An' her
brother, Mr. Basil, is near as 'andsome as she."

"He ain't got the go about him Miss Juliet have," said Thomas.

"A lot you know," was the cook's retort. "Why Mr. Basil
quarrelled with missus a week ago and gave her proper, and
missus ain't no easy person to fight with, as I knows. Mr.
Basil left the house and ain't been near since."

"He's a fool, then," said Thomas. "Missus won't leave him a
penny."

"She'll leave it to Miss Juliet Saxon, which is just the same.