sentiments to regard mission-work as the highest ambition. Leonard's
strong will and manly disposition would have obtained her homage and
affection, even without the lofty sentiments and the lesser graces
that made the brother and sister thoroughly suited to one another;
and the bond of union was unfortunately cemented by equal annoyance
at Henry's peculiarities.

It certainly was rather hard on a young head of a family to have a
younger brother his superior in every respect, and with an
inseparable sister. That Henry had not found out Leonard's
superiority was no reason that it should not gall him; and his self-
assertions were apt to be extremely irritating. Even in the first
flush of welcome, he had made it plain that he meant to be felt as
master of the house, and to enforce those petty regulations of exact
order that might be easily borne from a mother, or played with in a
sister--would be obeyed grudgingly from a father, but could be
intolerable in a brother.

The reception of Mab and the ammonites was but an earnest of similar
ungracious acts on the one hand, and aggressions on the other, often
unintentional. Averil did, indeed, smooth matters, but she shared
Leonard's resentment, and outward submission was compensated by
murmur and mockery in private.

Still the household worked on fairly; and Mrs. Ledwich was heard to
declare, with tears in her eyes, that it was beautiful to see such a
happy family of love as those dear young Wards!

'The happy family--in Trafalgar Square!' muttered Dr. Spencer.