‘I do not know whether in this position a small sum in the list is not more disadvantageous than nothing at all. Besides, I know nothing of the real merits. I must ask Hailes. Ah! and here is Emma, I thought that she would be a little impatient. She says she shall let her house for the winter, and thinks of going to London or to Brighton, where she may have masters for the girls.’
‘Oh, I thought you meant them to go to a good school?’
‘So I do, if I can get Emma’s consent; but I doubt her choosing to part with Ida. She wants to come here.’
‘I suppose we ought to have her?’
‘Yes, but not immediately. I do not mean to neglect her—at least, I do hope to do all that is right; but I think you ought to have a fair start here before she comes, so that we will invite her for Christmas, and then we can arrange about Ida and Constance.’
‘Dear little Connie, I hope she is as nice a little girl as she used to be!’
‘With good training, I think, she will be; and the tutor gives me good accounts of Herbert in this letter.’
‘Shall we have him here on Sunday week?’
‘Yes, I am very anxious to see him. I hope his master gives him more religious instruction than he has ever had, poor boy!’
Though not brilliant or playful, Lord and Lady Northmoor had, it may be perceived, no lack of good