When after dinner the squire proposed to her that they should drink the health of her papa and mamma, she was almost reduced to tears, and yet she liked him for doing it.

It was terrible to her to have them mentioned, knowing as she did that every one who mentioned them must be aware of their misery,--for the misfortune of her father had become notorious in the country; but it was almost more terrible to her that no allusion should be made to them; for then she would be driven to think that her father was regarded as a man whom the world could not afford to mention.

"Papa and mamma," she just murmured, raising her glass to her lips.

"Grace, dear," said Lily from across the table, "here's papa and mamma, and the young man at Marlborough who is carrying everything before him." "Yes; we won't forget the young man at Marlborough," said the squire.

Grace felt this to be good-natured, because her brother at Marlborough was the one bright spot in her family,--and she was comforted.
"And we will drink the health of my friend, John Eames," said Lady Julia.
"John Eames' health," said the squire, in a low voice.
"Johnny's health," said Mrs.Dale; but Mrs.Dale's voice was not very brisk.
"John's health," said Dr.Crofts and Mrs.Crofts in a breath.
"Here's the health of Johnny Eames," said Lily; and her voice was the clearest and the boldest of them all.