My Lady's Money

om, Moody looked at the unfa

ight have changes to make in it or might have a postscript to add to what she had already written. Apart too, from these considerations, was it reasonable to act as if Lady Lydiard's house was a hotel, perpetually open to the intrusion of strangers?

he picture gallery found Felix recumben

scape. And what did he see? He saw one towering big cloud in the sky that threatened rain, two withered mahogany-colored trees sorely in want of rain, a muddy road greatly the worse for rain, and a vagabond boy running home who was afrai

Felix rose to a sitting position on the sofa. He had recognized the voice of Alfred Hardyman saying, "Don't disturb Lady Lydiard," and th

their minds about the exact value of him, socially considered. Alfred Hardyman was nevertheless a remarkable man in his way. He had been offered the customary alternatives submitted to the younger sons of the nobility-the Church or the diplomatic service-and had refused the one and the other. "I like horses," he said, "and I mean to get my living out of them. Don't talk to me about my position in the world. Talk to my eldest brother, who gets the money and the title." Starting in life with these sensible views, and with a small capital of five thousand pounds, Hardyman took his own place in the sphere that was fitted for him. At the period of this narrative

d of you," he began. "I feel

me here. I come to see the house-and the dog." He looked round the gallery in his gravely attentive

ed him into the drawing-room, with the air o

d Hardyman.

ter?" Felix sai

t ma

ow. Will ne

eek won

His friend was too intently occupied with the de

?" Felix resumed,

es

hat t

e and one in t

o my aunt," he said. "You must introduce yourself to her Ladyship. I can't wait here any longer." He walked out of the room,

The steward had knocked at that door, had disappeared through it, and had not appeared agai

once in his life, Alfred Hardyman's composure deserted him. He star

uickened the beat of Mr. Hardyman's heart the moment he set eyes on her. Was the person who produced this amazing impression at first sight

o distinction in virtue o

azzled the lords of creation generally, and made them all alike incompetent to discover her faults. Still, she had compensating attractions which no severity of criticism could dispute. Her smile, beginning at her lips, flowed brightly and instantly over her whole face. A delicious atmosphere of health, freshness, and good humor seemed to radiate from her wherever she went and whatever she did. For the rest her brown hair grew low over her broad white forehead, and was topped by a neat little lace cap with ribbon

her first question. He smiled as he acknowledged that h

e poor dear dog into a warm bath, and she can't leave him. And Mr. Moody can't come instead of me, because I was too frightened to be of any use, and

charm of youth and beauty, he is in no hurry to transfer his attention to a sick animal in a bath. Hardyman seized on

help you," he said, "if you will te

e under his present excitement. As for Isabel, she was too deeply interested in Tommie's welfare to suspect that she was being made th

d his advantage

me what sort

s,

old h

s,

is?-what his illness is? what disea

m afraid I am very stupid this morning. His name is Tommie. We are obliged to call him by it, because he won't answer to any other than the name he had when my Lady bought him. But we spell it

hangeful face that looked up at him with such innocent confidence in his authority, drew her a

please. What sor

on his back-and, oh! such lovely dark eyes! They call him a Scotch terrier. When he is well his appetite is truly wonderful-nothing comes amiss to him, sir, from pate de foie gras to potatoes. He has his enemies, poor dear, though

llowed those words, checked in

ll me what his temper is, o

er gayety. As she lifted her face to him, with large solemn eyes, expressive of her sense of responsibility, Hardy

rally means that he objects to strangers. He loves my Lady, and he loves Mr. Moody, and he love

ody called. About this dog's temper? Doesn't he take to a

, Tommie's future was in this strange gentleman's hands; she felt bound to consider that. And, moreover, it was no everyday event, in Isabel's experience, to fascinat

back; and as soon as he gets home he turns round on the doorstep and snaps at the servants. I think it must be his fun. You should see him sitting up in his chair at dinner-time, waiting to be helped, with his fore paws on the edge of the table, like the hands of a gentleman at a public dinner making a speech. But, oh!" cried Isabel, checking herself, with the tears in her eyes

en the memoirs of Tommie were suddenly cut short by the voice

ried her Ladyship,

boudoir and threw it open. "Go

ou?" Hardy

I have something to do

ngly to the passage which led to the boudoir "I sh

o alternative. He presented himself to Lad

oor on him, Isabel waited a litt

and so tall, and he had such fine large eyes. The girl looked prettier than ever as she stood with her head down and her color heightened, smiling to herself. A clock

-note inclosed in it, unsealed. Absorbed in the dog, Lady Lydiard answered, "Isabel is doing nothing, let Isabel seal it. Show Mr. Hardyman in here," she continued, turning to Isabel, "and then sea

r. Hardyman was the uppermost subject in her thoughts. Leaving the sealed letter on the table, she returned to the fireplace, and studied her own charming face attentively in the looking-glass. The time passed

e boudoir-door opened, and Robert Moody, released at la