She appeared to be very busy with a doll wrapped in a fur rug which she carefully deposited at the foot of the tree. One afternoon Sir Edward was returning from a stroll up the avenue when he saw the child at play among the trees, and for a moment he paused and watched her. She would generally anticipate the usual formula, “Now run away child, to nurse,” by singing out cheerfully, “I am just off, uncle,” and by the time he had reached the spot where she was standing the little figure would be running off in the distance, Fritz close at her heels. Her uncle’s form approaching was quite a sufficient hint to her to make herself scarce. Generally she was attended by Fritz, a beautiful collie, who had, with the fickleness of his nature, transferred his affection from his master to her, and though uncertain in temper towards most, was never anything but amiable when with the little girl. Sometimes he would find her in the stables, her arms round the stable cat, and the grooms holding a voluble conversation with her, or among the cows at the bottom of the paddock, or feeding the pigs and fowls in the poultry yard. But afterwards, when they had all left him, and he relapsed into his ordinary life, he was constantly coming across her. I thought you would expect to see her once in the day.”Īfter a little hesitation Sir Edward gave his permission and when he found that Milly neither screamed nor snatched for the fruit on the table, and did not herself engross the whole conversation, he became quite reconciled to the little white figure stealing in and occupying the chair that was always placed at his left-hand side for her.īeyond this he saw very little of her while his guests were with him. “Is it necessary? I thought children ought to be in bed at that time.” Sir Edward pulled the ends of his moustache dubiously. “I expect you would like her to be sent down to you in the evening-at dessert, perhaps, sir?” she inquired. The nurse was a staid, elderly woman, who assured him she was accustomed to the sole charge of the child, and would keep her entirely under her own control. Accordingly he had a long interview with her nurse the following morning. The advent of his small niece was indeed a great trial to him, but, with his characteristic thoroughness, he determined that he would make the necessary arrangements for her comfort. Sir Edward Wentworth was, as he expressed it, a “confirmed bachelor,” and though during the autumn months he was quite willing to fill his house with his London friends, he was better pleased to live the greater part of the year in seclusion, occupying himself with looking after his estate and writing articles for several of the leading reviews of the day.
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