Probable Sons | Page 2

remember that your sister's great desire
on her death-bed was that you should receive her little one and bring
her up under your own eye, being her natural guardian and nearest
relative. Hearing, however, from you that you did not at that time feel
equal to the responsibility, I came forward and volunteered to take her
for a short while till you had made arrangements to receive her. I have
been expecting to hear from you for some time, and as I have promised
my future husband to fix the day for our marriage some time early next
month, I thought I could not do better than send the child with her
nurse to you without delay. She will reach you the day after you receive
this letter. Perhaps you will kindly send me word of her safe arrival.
Yours truly, ANNA KENT.'
Now, Lovell, what do you think of that? And sure enough, this
afternoon, while we were out, the child and nurse appeared, and are in
the house at this present moment. Don't you think it a hard case for
such a confirmed bachelor as I am?"
"I do indeed," was the hearty reply; "but I think you will find a way out
of it, Ned. Take a wife unto yourself, and she will relieve you of all
responsibility."
There was a general laugh at this, but in the midst of it the door slowly
opened, and the subject of all this discussion appeared on the threshold,
a fragile little figure, with long, golden-brown hair, and a pair of dark
brown eyes that looked calmly and searchingly in front of her. Clad in
white, with her dimpled hands crossed in front of her, she stood there
for a moment in silence, then spoke:--
"Where is my Uncle Edward?"
"Here," replied Sir Edward, as he looked helplessly round, first at his
friends and then at his small niece.
The child stepped up to him with perfect composure, and held out her

little hand, which her uncle took, undergoing all the while a severe
scrutiny from the pair of dark eyes fixed upon him. There was dead
silence in the room. Sir Edward's companions were delighting in the
scene, and his great discomfiture only heightened their enjoyment.
"Well," he said at length, rather feebly, "I think you know the look of
me now, don't you? Where is your nurse? Ought you not to be in your
bed? This is not the place for little girls, you know."
"I was thinking you would kiss me," and the child's lips began to quiver,
while a pink flush rose to her cheeks, and she glanced wistfully round,
in the hope of seeing some sympathetic face near her.
But Sir Edward could not bring himself to do this. Laying his hand on
the curly head raised to his, he patted it as he might his dog, and said,--
"There, there! Now you have introduced yourself to me, you can run
away. What is your name? Millicent, isn't it?"
"Milly is my name. And are all these gentlemen my uncles too?"
The tone of doubtful inquiry was too much for the little company, and
Milly's question was answered by a shout of laughter.
Again the child's face flushed, and then a grey-haired man stepped
forward.
"Come, Wentworth, this is a severe ordeal for such a mite. I have
grandchildren of my own, so am not so scared as you. Now, little one,
is that better?"
And in an instant the child was lifted by him and placed upon his knee
as he took a seat by the fire.
Milly heaved a short sigh.
"I like this," she said, looking up at him confidingly. "Does Uncle
Edward really want me to go to bed? Nurse said it wasn't time yet.
Nurse wanted her supper, so she sent me in here while she had it."

"The reign of the nurse has begun," said Sir Edward. "Well, it may be a
very fine joke to all you fellows, but if I don't make my authority felt at
once, it will be all up with me. Lovell, be so good as to ring that bell."
Sir Edward's voice was irate when his old butler appeared.
"Ford, take this child to her nurse, and tell her that she is never to
appear in my presence again unless sent for. Now, Millicent, go at
once."
The child slid down from her seat, but though evidently puzzled at the
quick, sharp words, she seemed to have no fear, for, going up to her
uncle, she slipped her little hand into his.
"Are you angry, uncle? What does 'presence' mean? Will you say,
'Good-night; God bless you,' to me?"
With the baby fingers clinging to his, what could Sir Edward say?
"Good-night; good-night, child! Now