34 l^he Real Charlotte. 



for the presence of a lady kept this gentleman from indulge 

 ing in abusive language." 



Charlotte, in her lighter moods, was addicted to a ponder- 

 ous persiflage, the aristocratic foster-sister of her broader 

 peasant jestings in the manner of those whom she was fond 

 of describing as " the bar pur pie. ^^ 



Mr. Lambert did not trouble himself to reply to this sally. 

 He was looking at the figure in the olive-green habit that 

 was advancing along the path of sunlight to the doorway, 

 and thinking that he had done well to write that letter on 

 the subject of the riding that Francie might expect to have 

 at Lismoyle. Charlotte turned her head also to look at the 

 radiant, sunlit figure. 



" Why, child, were you calling Norry just now to melt 

 you down and pour you into that garment ? I never saw 

 such a waist ! Take care and don't let her fall off, Roddy, 

 or she'll snap in two ! " She laughed loudly and discord- 

 antly, looking to Mr. Lambert's groom for the appreciation 

 that was lacking in the face of his master ; and during the 

 arduous process of getting Miss Fitzpatrick into her saddle 

 she remained on the steps, off"ering facetious suggestions 

 and warnings, with her short arms akimbo, and a smile that 

 was meant to be jovial accentuating the hard lines of her 

 face. 



At last the green habit was adjusted, the reins placed pro- 

 perly between Francie's awkward fingers, and Mr. Lambert 

 had mounted his long-legged young chestnut and was ready 

 to start. 



" Don't forget Lucy expects you to tea, Charlotte," he 

 said as he settled himself in his saddle. 



" And don't you forget what I told you," replied Char- 

 lotte, sinking her voice confidentially ; *' don't mind her if 

 she opens her mouth wide ; it'll take less to shut it than ye'd 

 think." 



Lambert nodded and rode after Francie, who, in compli- 

 ance with the wishes of the black mare, had hurried on to- 

 wards the gate. The black mare was a lady of character, 

 well-mannered but firm, and the mere sit of the saddle on 

 her back told her that this was a case when it would be well 

 to take matters into her own control; she accordingly 

 dragged as much of the reins as she required from Francie's 



