‘It is indeed very troublesome,’ said Lady Annabel.

‘Ah! you have none of these cares,’ continued Mrs. Cadurcis, surveying the pretty apartment.  ’What a difference between Cherbury and the abbey!  I suppose you have never been there?’

‘Indeed, it is one of my favourite walks,’ answered Lady Annabel; ’and, some two years ago, I even took the liberty of walking through the house.’

‘Was there ever such a place!’ exclaimed Mrs. Cadurcis.  ’I assure you my poor head turns whenever I try to find my way about it.  But the trustees offered it us, and I thought it my duty to my son to reside there.  Besides, it was a great offer to a widow; if poor Mr. Cadurcis had been alive it would have been different.  I hardly know what I shall do there, particularly in winter.  My spirits are always dreadfully low.  I only hope Plantagenet will behave well.  If he goes into his tantarums at the abbey, and particularly in winter, I hardly know what will become of me!’

’I am sure Lord Cadurcis will do everything to make the abbey comfortable to you.  Besides, it is but a short walk from Cherbury, and you must come often and see us.’

’Oh!  Plantagenet can be good if he likes, I can assure you, Lady Annabel; and behaves as properly as any little boy I know.  Plantagenet, my dear, speak.  Have not I always told you, when you pay a visit, that you should open your mouth now and then.  I don’t like chattering children,’ added Mrs. Cadurcis, ’but I like them to answer when they are spoken to.’

‘Nobody has spoken to me,’ said Lord Cadurcis, in a sullen tone.

‘Plantagenet, my love!’ said his mother in a solemn voice.

‘Well, mother, what do you want?’

‘Plantagenet, my love, you know you promised me to be good!’

‘Well! what have I done?’

‘Lord Cadurcis,’ said Lady Annabel, interfering, ’do you like to look at pictures?’

‘Thank you,’ replied the little lord, in a more courteous tone; ’I like to be left alone.’

‘Did you ever know such an odd child!’ said Mrs. Cadurcis; ’and yet, Lady Annabel, you must not judge him by what you see.  I do assure you he can behave, when he likes, as pretty as possible.’

‘Pretty!’ muttered the little lord between his teeth.

‘If you had only seen him at Morpeth sometimes at a little tea party,’ said Mrs. Cadurcis, ‘he really was quite the ornament of the company.’

‘No, I wasn’t,’ said Lord Cadurcis.

‘Plantagenet!’ said his mother again in a solemn tone, ’have I not always told you that you are never to contradict any one?’

The little lord indulged in a suppressed growl.

‘There was a little play last Christmas,’ continued Mrs. Cadurcis, ’and he acted quite delightfully.  Now you would not think that, from the way he sits upon that chair.  Plantagenet, my dear, I do insist upon your behaving yourself.  Sit like a man.’