“My dear son. I don’t like to begin with worries. It is so sweet to have you back in the home. May you always stay with us.”

“I don’t mind the worries, mother,” he said tenderly; “I am here to help you. What is it?

“It is only that, although we have inherited the title and estates, we are not there. We will be received, of course, but at first only by those who have axes to grind. There are so many such, and it is hard to protect one’s self from them. For instance, there is Lady Willisbeck. Her own set have cut her completely for — certain reasons — there is no need to retail unpleasant gossip, — but she was one of the first to call. Her daughter, Lady Isabel, gave Laura that dog, — but all the more because