"
"I think as a brother," said Tinker.
Sir Tancred thought a while, then he said, "You will find it a great
responsibility."
"Yes; but I don't mind. I--I like her, don't you know!"
Sir Tancred's stern face relaxed into one of his rare and charming
smiles. "Very good," he said. "You shall adopt her."
"Thank you, sir," said Tinker, and his smile matched his father's.
"And may I have some money to dress her? Her clothes are dreadful."
"They are," said Sir Tancred; and, taking out his notecase, he gave him
a thousand-franc note.
"Thank you," said Tinker, beaming. "I'll break it to her about her
uncle."
He hurried off towards the Condamine, and overtaking Elsie and Lord
Crosland, told her that it was all right, that they had arranged to
take care of her for a few days, and carried her away to fetch Blazer,
for his morning walk. It is to be feared that he gave her the
impression that her uncle had been a party to the arrangement, but by a
flood of talk he diverted successfully her mind from the matter. From
an unworthy jealousy Blazer was at first disposed to sniff at Elsie,
but when he found that she joined heartily in the few poor amusements
the place afforded an honest dog, he became more gracious.
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