I will take care that she receives a proper sum quarterly through Mr.Bideawhile for her own clothes,--and for those of our poor boy." Then Stanbury had told him of the Clock House, and there had been an agreement made between them;--an agreement which was then, of course, subject to the approval of the ladies at Nuncombe Putney.

When the suggestion was made to Mrs.
Trevelyan,--with a proposition that the Clock House should be taken for one year, and that for that year, at least, her boy should remain with her,--she assented to it.

She did so with all the calmness that she was able to assume; but, in truth, almost everything seemed to have been gained, when she found that she was not to be separated from her baby.

"I have no objection to living in Devonshire if Mr.
Trevelyan wishes it," she said, in her most stately manner; "and certainly no objection to living with Mr.Stanbury's mother." Then Mr.Bideawhile explained to her that Nuncombe Putney was not a large town,--was, in fact, a very small and a very remote village.

"That will make no difference whatsoever as far as I am concerned," she answered; "and as for my sister, she must put up with it till my father and my mother are here.