“It is easy to bear what I am truly thankful for.  Abbotsmead is nothing to me, but those boys ought to be brought up in familiarity with the place and the people.  I am a stranger, and I don’t think I am very apt at making humble friends.  To enjoy the life one ought to begin one’s apprenticeship early.  I wonder why anybody strains after rank and riches?  I find them no gain at all.  I still think Mr. Carnegie the best gentleman I know, and his wife as true a gentlewoman as any.  You are smiling at my partiality.  Shall you be shocked if I add that I have met in Woldshire grand people who, if they were not known by their titles, would be reckoned amongst the very vulgar, and gentry of old extraction who bear no brand of it but that disagreeable manner which is qualified as high-bred insolence?”

Mrs. Stokes held all the conventionalities in sincere respect.  She did not understand Miss Fairfax, and asked who, then, of their acquaintance was her pattern of a perfect lady.  Bessie instanced Miss Burleigh.  “Her sweet graciousness is never at fault, because it is the flower of her beautiful disposition,” said she.

“I should never have thought of her,” said Mrs. Stokes reflectively.  “She is very good.  But to go back to those boys:  do nothing without first speaking to Mr. Fairfax.”

Bessie demurred, and still believed her own bolder device the best, but she allowed herself to be overruled, and watched for an opportunity of speaking.  Undoubtedly, Mr. Fairfax loved his granddaughter with more respect for her independent will than he might have done had they been together always.  He had denied her no reasonable request yet, and he granted her present prayer so readily that she was only sorry she had not preferred it earlier.

“Grandpapa, you will give me a Christmas gift, will you not?” she said one evening after dinner about a week before that festive season.

“Yes, Elizabeth.  What would you like?” was his easy reply.  It was a satisfaction to hear that she had a wish.

“I should like to have my two little cousins from Norminster—­Justus and Laury.  They would quite enliven us.”

Mr. Fairfax was evidently taken by surprise.  Still, he did not rebuke her audacity.  He was silent for a minute or two, as if reflecting, and when he answered her it was with all the courtesy that he could have shown towards a guest for whose desires he was bound to feel the utmost deference.  “Certainly, Elizabeth,” said he.  “You have a right to be here, as I told you at your first coming, and it would be hard that I should forbid you any visitor that would enliven you.  Have the little boys, by all means, if you wish it, and make yourself as happy as you can.”

Elizabeth thanked him warmly.  “I will write to-morrow.  Oh, I know they may come—­my uncle Laurence promised me,” said she.  “And the day before Christmas Eve, Mrs. Betts and I will go for them.  I am so glad!”