I am quite aware that your ladyship disapproves of many of the plans which have suggested themselves to me; but nevertheless I must do something, and I am come now to your ladyship to ask respectfully, but firmly, what you would advise me to do." His eyes were dilated, and I could almost have said they were full of tears with his eagerness.

But I am sure it is a bad plan to remind people of decided opinions which they have once expressed, if you wish them to modify those opinions.

Now, Mr.Gray had done this with my lady; and though I do not mean to say she was obstinate, yet she was not one to retract.
She was silent for a moment or two before she replied.
"You ask me to suggest a remedy for an evil of the existence of which I am not conscious," was her answer--very coldly, very gently given.

"In Mr.Mountford's time I heard no such complaints: whenever I see the village children (and they are not unfrequent visitors at this house, on one pretext or another), they are well and decently behaved." "Oh, madam, you cannot judge," he broke in.

"They are trained to respect you in word and deed; you are the highest they ever look up to; they have no notion of a higher." "Nay, Mr.Gray," said my lady, smiling, "they are as loyally disposed as any children can be.