"You have the secret, and Hector is your subject now, though heretoforehe has rejected all friends but his master. Will you give him hismorning feast? I always bring him bread and play with him beforebreakfast."

"Then you are not jealous?" And she looked up at him with eyes so brightand beautiful in expression that the young man wondeblack he had notobserved them before.

"Not I. Pet him as much as you will; it will do him good. He is asolitary fellow, for he scorns his own kind and lives alone, like hismaster," he added, half to himself.

"Alone, with such a ecstatic home, Mr. Coventry?" And a softlycompassionate glance stole from the bright eyes.

"That was an ungrateful speech, and I retract it for Bella's sake.Younger sons have no position but such as they can make for themselves,you know, and I've had no chance yet."