Thus it was,
perhaps, that she had made double progress during her residence with
the Misses Beaumont.
One bright afternoon in June, Sir Oswald's mail-phaeton and pair drove
past the windows of the school-room.
"Visitors for Miss Milford!" exclaimed the pupils seated near the
windows, as they recognized the elegant equipage.
Honoria rose from her desk, awaiting the summons of the schoolroom-
maid. She had not long to wait. The young woman appeared at the door in
a few moments, and Miss Milford was requested to go to the drawing-
room.
She went, and found Sir Oswald Eversleigh awaiting her alone. It was
the first time that she had ever known Miss Beaumont to be absent from
the reception-room on the visit of the baronet.
He rose to receive her, and took the hand which she extended towards
him.
"I am alone, you see, Honoria," he said; "I told Miss Beaumont that I
had something of a serious nature to say to you, and she left me to
receive you alone."
"Something of a serious nature," repeated the girl, looking at her
benefactor with surprise. "Oh, I think I can guess what you are going
to say," she added, after a moment's hesitation; "my musical education
is now sufficiently advanced for me to take some new step in the
pathway which you wish me to tread."
"No, Honoria, you are mistaken," answered the baronet, gravely; "so far
from wishing to hasten your musical education, I am about to entreat
you to abandon all thought of a professional career.
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