‘It is too grand for a little girl, Plantagenet,’ she exclaimed, a little pale.

‘No, it is not,’ said Plantagenet, firmly; ’besides, you will not always be a little girl; and then, if ever we do not live together as we do now, you will always remember you have a brother.’

’I must show it mamma; I must ask her permission to take it, Plantagenet.’

Venetia went up to her mother, who was talking to Mrs. Cadurcis.  She had not courage to speak before that lady and Dr. Masham, so she called her mother aside.

‘Mamma,’ she said, ‘something has happened.’

‘What, my dear?’ said Lady Annabel, somewhat surprised at the seriousness of her tone.

‘Look at this, mamma!’ said Venetia, giving her the brooch.

Lady Annabel looked at the jewel, and read the inscription.  It was a more precious offering than the mother would willingly have sanctioned, but she was too highly bred, and too thoughtful of the feelings of others, to hesitate for a moment to admire it herself, and authorise its acceptance by her daughter.  So she walked up to Cadurcis and gave him a mother’s embrace for his magnificent present to his sister, placed the brooch itself near Venetia’s heart, and then led her daughter to Mrs. Cadurcis, that the gratified mother might admire the testimony of her son’s taste and affection.  It was a most successful present, and Cadurcis felt grateful to his mother for her share in its production, and the very proper manner in which she received the announcement of its offering.

CHAPTER X.

This was Christmas Eve; the snow was falling briskly.  After dinner they were glad to cluster round the large fire in the green drawing-room.  Dr. Masham had promised to read the evening service in the chapel, which was now lit up, and the bell was sounding, that the cottagers might have the opportunity of attending.

Plantagenet and Venetia followed the elders to the chapel; they walked hand-in-hand down the long galleries.

‘I should like to go all over this house,’ said Plantagenet to his companion.  ‘Have you ever been?’

‘Never,’ said Venetia; ’half of it is shut up.  Nobody ever goes into it, except mamma.’

In the night there was a violent snowstorm; not only was the fall extremely heavy, but the wind was so high, that it carried the snow off the hills, and all the roads were blocked up, in many places ten or twelve feet deep.  All communication was stopped.  This was an adventure that amused the children, though the rest looked rather grave.  Plantagenet expressed to Venetia his wish that the snow would never melt, and that they might remain at Cherbury for ever.

The children were to have a holiday this week, and they had planned some excursions in the park and neighbourhood, but now they were all prisoners to the house.  They wandered about, turning the staircase into mountains, the great hall into an ocean, and the different rooms into so many various regions.  They amused themselves with their adventures, and went on endless voyages of discovery.  Every moment Plantagenet longed still more for the opportunity of exploring the uninhabited chambers; but Venetia shook her head, because she was sure Lady Annabel would not grant them permission.