"Quite sure; and I forbid you to do it. Do you hear?"
"Very well, father," with a sigh; "we won't crawl along, if you don't like it; but you won't mind our going to look at it? We've been prevented so many times, and we do so want to go there! If we promise not to climb, you won't say we're not to go, will you?"
"Yes—once for all, I say you are not to go near the pond; and I trust to you, Humphrey, to obey me. Promise."
"It's a great pity, father!"
"Never mind. I won't have Miles led into any more mischief."
Humphrey promised rather reluctantly adding to himself: "It's not much use making me promise anything, because I'm sure to forget."
They rode on in silence for some time after this; and when Humphrey next spoke, it was on quite a different subject.
"I didn't know till to-day, father, that you didn't like Aunt Cecilia!"
"What do you mean, Humphrey?" said Sir Everard, horrified.
"You spoke as if you didn't much like her, to Mrs. Colville's sister."