"Oh, ho! it's come to that, has it?" answered the baronet. "Well, I suppose you must have your own way in the matter, although you know that I hate both the place and the class of people one meets there. I suppose we can take Eleanor with us? It will be a treat to her, and company for you."
"Eleanor's a little fool!"
"Possibly so; you know best, I dare say."
"She tells me that she is going to leave us."
"Eleanor going to leave us!"
Sir Thomas looked quite dumbfounded. At this moment Eleanor entered the room.
"What is this I hear, little one?" he cried. "You are not going to leave us, surely?"
"For a little while, dear Sir Thomas. Perhaps not for long," answered Eleanor.
"I'm sorry for that--very sorry indeed. I had grown to like you almost as much as if you were a daughter of my own."
Tears came into Eleanor's eyes. She crossed the room, and taking Sir Thomas's hand in both hers, pressed it to her lips.