To my lady he was a faithful and devoted servant, looking keenly after her interests, and anxious to forward them at any cost of trouble to himself.

But the more shrewd Mr.Horner was, the more probability was there of his being annoyed at certain peculiarities of opinion which my lady held with a quiet, gentle pertinacity; against which no arguments, based on mere worldly and business calculations, made any way.

This frequent opposition to views which Mr.Horner entertained, although it did not interfere with the sincere respect which the lady and the steward felt for each other, yet prevented any warmer feeling of affection from coming in.

It seems strange to say it, but I must repeat it--the only person for whom, since his wife's death, Mr.Horner seemed to feel any love, was the little imp Harry Gregson, with his bright, watchful eyes, his tangled hair hanging right down to his eyebrows, for all the world like a Skye terrier.

This lad, half gipsy and whole poacher, as many people esteemed him, hung about the silent, respectable, staid Mr.Horner, and followed his steps with something of the affectionate fidelity of the dog which he resembled.