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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Sisters Three, by Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Sisters Three
+
+Author: Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
+
+Illustrator: Stanley Lloyd
+
+Release Date: April 16, 2007 [EBook #21103]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SISTERS THREE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+
+Sisters Three
+
+By Mrs George de Horne Vaizey
+________________________________________________________________________
+A very well-written book about the life of three sisters being brought
+up in the Lake District of northern England by their well-known author
+father.  The time comes when one of them is of an age to get married.
+Which eligible young man shall she take?  She makes her choice, and the
+preparations reach a very advanced state, when she realises she cannot
+go through with it.
+
+Of course, it is just a bit dated; for instance young men are judged by
+the size and quality of their moustaches, a practice long discontinued
+in England, though not perhaps in other countries.
+
+Still, it is a light and easy read, and of course sheds light on the way
+young girls were brought up around 1900. N.H.
+________________________________________________________________________
+SISTERS THREE
+
+BY MRS. GEORGE DE HORNE VAIZEY
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ONE.
+
+NEW YEAR'S DAY.
+
+"I wish something would happen!" sighed Norah.
+
+"If it were something _nice_," corrected Lettice.  "Lots of things
+happen every day, but they are mostly disagreeable.  Getting up, for
+instance, in the cold, dark mornings--and practising--and housework, and
+getting ready for stupid old classes--I don't complain of having too
+little to do.  I want to do less, and to be able to amuse myself more."
+
+"We want a change, that is the truth," said Hilary, bending forward on
+her seat, and sending the poker into the heart of the fire with a
+vigorous shove.  "Our lives jog-trot along in the same way year after
+year, and it grows monotonous.  I declare, when I think that this is the
+first day of another January it makes me ill!  Fifty-two more Mondays to
+sit in the morning-room and darn stockings.  Fifty-two Saturdays to give
+out stores.  Three hundred and sixty-five days to dust ornaments,
+interview the cook, and say, `Well, let me see!  The cold mutton had
+better be used up for lunch'--Oh, dear me!"
+
+"I'll tell you what--let's have a nice long grumble," said Lettice,
+giving her chair a hitch nearer the fire, and bending forward with a
+smile of enjoyment.  "Let's hold an Indignation Meeting on our own
+account, and discuss our grievances.  Women always have grievances
+nowadays--it's the fashionable thing, and I like to be in the fashion.
+Three charming and beauteous maidens shut up in the depths of the
+country in the very flower of their youth, with nothing to do--I mean
+with far too much to do, but with no amusement, no friends, no variety!
+We are like the princesses in the fairy tales, shut up in the moated
+tower; only then there were always fairy godmothers to come to the
+rescue, and beautiful princes in golden chariots.  We shall have to wait
+a long time before any such visitors come tramping along the Kendal
+high-road.  I am sure it sounds melancholy enough to make anyone sorry
+for us!"
+
+"Father is the dearest man in the world, but he doesn't understand how a
+girl of seventeen feels.  I was seventeen on my last birthday, so it's
+worse for me than for you, for I am really grown-up."  Hilary sighed,
+and rested her sleek little head upon her hand in a pensive, elderly
+fashion.  "I believe he thinks that if we have a comfortable home and
+enough to eat, and moderately decent clothes, we ought to be content;
+but I want ever so much more than that.  If mother had lived--"
+
+There was a short silence, and then Norah took up the strain in her
+crisp, decided accents.  "I am fifteen and a half, and I look very
+nearly as old as you do, Hilary, and I'm an inch taller.  I don't see
+why I need go on with these stupid old classes.  If I could go to a good
+school, it would be another thing, for I simply adore music and
+painting, and should love to work hard, and become celebrated; but I
+don't believe Miss Briggs can teach me any more than I know myself, and
+there is no better teacher for miles around.  If father would only let
+me go abroad for a year; but he is afraid of trusting me out of his
+sight.  If _I_ had seven children, I'd be glad to get rid of some of
+them, if only to get a little peace and quietness at home."
+
+"Mother liked the idea of girls being educated at home, that is the
+reason why father objects to sending us away.  The boys must go to
+boarding-schools, of course, because there is no one here who can take
+them in hand.  As for peace and quietness, father enjoys having the
+house full.  He grumbles at the noise sometimes, but I believe he likes
+it at the bottom of his heart.  If we do happen to be quiet for a change
+in the evening, he peers over his book and says, `What is the matter;
+has something gone wrong?  Why are you all so quiet?'  He loves to see
+us frisking about."
+
+"Yes, but I can't frisk any longer--I'm too dull--I want something to
+happen," repeated Norah, obstinately.  "Other people have parties on New
+Year's Day, or a Christmas-tree, or crowds of visitors coming to call.
+We have been sitting here sewing from ten o'clock this morning--nasty,
+uninteresting mending--which isn't half done yet, though it is nearly
+four o'clock.  And you never think of me!  I'm fifteen, and I feel it
+more than either of you.  You see it is like this.  Sometimes I feel
+quite young, like a child, and then you two are too proper to run about
+and play with me, so I am all alone; and then I feel quite old and
+grown-up, and am just as badly off as you, and worse, because I'm the
+youngest, and have to take third turn of everything, and wear your
+washed-out ribbons!  If only something would happen that was really
+startling and exciting--!"
+
+"I sink it's very naughty to wish like that!"  A tiny, reed-like voice
+burst into the conversation with an unexpectedness which made the three
+sisters start in their seats; a small figure in a white pinafore crept
+forward into the firelight, and raised a pair of reproachful eyes to
+Norah's face.  "I sink it's very naughty to wish like that, 'cause it's
+discontented, and you don't know what it might be like.  Pr'aps the
+house might be burned, or the walls fall down, or you might all be ill
+and dead yourselves, and _then_ you wouldn't like it!"
+
+The three girls looked at each other, undecided between laughter and
+remorse.
+
+"Mouse!" said Hilary, severely, "what are you doing here?  Little girls
+have no business to listen to what big people are saying.  You must
+never sit here again without letting us know, or that will be naughty
+too.  We don't mean to be discontented, Mouse.  We felt rather low in
+our spirits, and were relieving ourselves by a little grumble, that's
+all.  Of course, we know that we have really many, many things to be
+thankful for--a nice house, and--ah--garden, and such beautiful country
+all round, and--ah--good health, and--"
+
+"And the bunnies, and the pigeons, and the new carpet in the dining-
+room, and because the puppy didn't die--and--and--_Me_!" said the Mouse,
+severely; and when her sisters burst into a roar of laughter she
+proceeded to justify herself with indignant protest.  "Well, it's the
+trufh!  The bunnies _are_ pretty, and you said, `Thank goodness! we've
+got a respectable carpet at last!'  And Lettice cried when the little
+pup rolled its eyes and squealed, and you said to Miss Briggs that I was
+only five, and if I _was_ spoiled she couldn't wonder, 'cause I was the
+littlest of seven, and no one could help it!  And it's `Happy New Year'
+and plum pudding for dinner, so I don't sink you ought to be
+discontented!"
+
+"You are quite right, dear, it's very naughty of us.  Just run upstairs
+to the schoolroom, and get tidy for tea, there's a good little Mouse.
+Shut the door behind you, for there's a fearful draught."  Hilary nodded
+to the child over her shoulder, and then turned to her sisters with an
+expressive shrug.  "What a funny little mite she is!  We really must be
+careful how we speak before her.  She understands far too well, and she
+has such stern ideas of her own.  Well, perhaps after all we are wrong
+to be discontented.  I hated coming to live in this quiet place, but I
+have been ever so much stronger; I never have that wretched, breathless
+feeling now that I had in town, and I can run upstairs to the very top
+without stopping.  You can't enjoy anything without health, so I ought
+to be--I am!--very thankful that I am so much better."
+
+"I am thankful that I have my two dear hobbies, and can forget
+everything in playing and drawing.  The hours fly when I can sit out of
+doors and sketch, and my precious old violin knows all my secrets.  It
+cries with me, and sings with me, and shrieks aloud just as I would do
+if I dared to make all the noise I want, when I am in a temper.  I do
+believe I could be one of the best players in the world if I had the
+chance.  I feel it in me!  It is aggravating to know that I make
+mistakes from want of proper lessons, but it is glorious to feel such
+power over an instrument as I do when I am properly worked up!  I would
+not change places with any girl who is not musical!"
+
+Lettice said nothing, but she lifted her eyes to the oval mirror which
+hung above the mantelpiece, and in her heart she thought, "And I am glad
+that I am so pretty.  If one is pretty, everyone is polite and
+attentive; and I do like people to be kind, and make a fuss!  When we
+were at the station the other day the people nudged each other and bent
+out of the windows of the train as I passed.  I saw them, though I
+pretended I didn't.  And I should look far nicer if I had proper
+clothes.  If I could only have had that fur boa, and the feather for my
+hat!  But what does it matter what I wear in this wretched place?  There
+is no one to see me."
+
+The firelight played on three thoughtful faces as the girls sat in
+silence, each occupied with her special train of thought.  The room
+looked grey and colourless in the waning light, and the glimpse of
+wintry landscape seen through the window did not add to the general
+cheeriness.  Hilary shivered, and picking up a log from the corner of
+the grate dropped it into the fire.
+
+"Well, there is no use repining!  We have had our grumble, and we might
+as well make the best of circumstances.  It's New Year's Day, so I shall
+make a resolution to try to like my work.  I know I do it well, because
+I am naturally a good housekeeper; but I ought to take more interest in
+it.  That's the way the good people do in books, and in the end they
+dote upon the very things they used to hate.  There's no saying--I may
+come to adore darning stockings and wending linen before the year is
+out!  At any rate I shall have the satisfaction of having done my best."
+
+"Well, if you try to like your work, I'll try to remember mine--that's a
+bargain," said Lettice solemnly.  "There always seems to be something I
+want particularly to do for myself, just when I ought to be at my
+`avocations,' as Miss Briggs has it.  It's a bad plan, because I have to
+exert myself to finish in time, and get a scolding into the bargain.  So
+here's for punctuality and reform!"
+
+Norah held her left hand high in the air, and began checking off the
+fingers with ostentatious emphasis.  "I resolve always to get up in the
+morning as soon as I am called, and without a single grumble; always to
+be amiable when annoyed; always to do what other people like, and what I
+dislike myself; always to be good-tempered with the boys, and smile upon
+them when they pull my hair and play tricks with my things; always be
+cheerful, contented, ladylike in deportment, and agreeable in manner.
+What do you say?  _Silly_!  I am not silly at all.  If you are going to
+make resolutions at all, you ought to do it properly.  Aim at the sky,
+and you may reach the top of the tree; aim at the top of the tree, and
+you will grovel on the ground.  You are too modest in your aspirations,
+and they won't come to any good; but as for me--with a standard before
+me of absolute perfection--"
+
+"Who is talking of perfection?  And where is the tea, and why are you
+still in darkness, with none of the lamps lighted?  It is five o'clock,
+and I have been in my study waiting for the bell to ring for the last
+half-hour.  What are you all doing over there by the fire?" cried a
+masculine voice, and a man's tall figure stood outlined in the doorway.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+HILARY IN LUCK.
+
+There was a simultaneous exclamation of dismay as the three girls leapt
+from their seats, and flew round the room in different directions.
+Hilary lighted the lamps, Norah drew the curtains across the windows,
+while Lettice first gave a peal to the bell, and then ran forward to
+escort her father to a chair by the fire.
+
+"Tea will be here in a moment, father; come and sit down.  It's New
+Year's Day, you know, and we have been so busy making good resolutions
+that we have had no time for anything practical.  Why didn't you come
+down before?  You are a regular old woman about afternoon tea; I believe
+you would miss it more than any other meal."
+
+"I believe I should.  I never get on well with my writing in the first
+part of the afternoon, and tea seems to give me a fresh start.  So you
+girls have been making good resolutions?  That's good hearing.  Tell me
+about them."  And Mr Bertrand leant back in his chair, clasping his
+hands behind his head, and looking up at his young daughters with a
+quizzical smile.  A photographer would have been happy if he could have
+taken a portrait at this moment, for Mr Bertrand was a well-known
+author, and the books which were written in the study in Westmoreland
+went far and wide over the world, and made his name a household word.
+He had forgotten his beloved work at this moment, however, at the sight
+of something dearer still--his three young daughters standing grouped
+together facing him at the other side of the old-fashioned grate, their
+faces flushed from the heat of the fire, their eyes dazzled by the
+sudden light.  How tall and womanlike they looked in their dark serge
+dresses!  Lettice's hair framed her face in a halo of mist-like curls;
+Hilary held up her head in her dignified little fashion; mischievous
+Norah smiled in the background.  They were dearer to him than all his
+heroines; but, alas, far less easy to manage, for the heroines did as
+they were bid, while the three girls were developing strong wills of
+their own.
+
+"I believe you have been plotting mischief, and that is the beginning
+and the end of your good resolutions!"
+
+"Indeed, no, father; we were in earnest.  But it was a reaction, for
+before that we had been grumbling about-- Wait a moment, here comes tea.
+We'll tell you later on.  Miss Briggs says we should never talk about
+disagreeable topics at a meal, and tea is the nicest meal of the day, so
+we can't afford to spoil it.  Well, and how is Mr Robert getting on
+this afternoon?"
+
+Mr Bertrand's face twitched in a comical manner.  He lived so entirely
+in the book which he was writing at the time that he found it impossible
+to keep silent on the subject; but he could never rid himself of a
+comical feeling of embarrassment in discussing his novels in the
+presence of his daughters.
+
+"Robert, eh?  What do you know about Robert?"
+
+"We know all about him, of course.  He was in trouble on Wednesday, and
+you came down to tea with your hair ruffled, and as miserable as you
+could be.  He must be happy again to-day, for your hair is quite smooth.
+When is he going to marry Lady Mary?"
+
+"He is not going to marry Lady Mary at all.  What nonsense!  Lady Mary,
+indeed!  You don't know anything about it!  Give me another cup of tea,
+and tell me what you have been grumbling about.  It doesn't sound a
+cheerful topic for New Year's Day, but I would rather have even that
+than hear such ridiculous remarks!  Grumbling!  What can you have to
+grumble about, I should like to know?"
+
+"Oh, father!"  The three young faces raised themselves to his in wide-
+eyed protest.  The exclamation was unanimous; but when it was over there
+was a moment's silence before Hilary took up the strain.
+
+"We are dull, father!  We are tired of ourselves.  You are all day long
+in your study, the boys spend their time out of doors, and we have no
+friends.  In summer time we don't feel it, for we live in the garden,
+and it is bright and sunny; but in winter it is dark and cold.  No one
+comes to see us, the days are so long, and every day is like the last."
+
+"My dear, you have the housework, and the other two have their lessons.
+You are only children as yet, and your school days are not over.  Most
+children are sent to boarding-schools, and have to work all day long.
+You have liberty and time to yourselves.  I don't see why you should
+complain."
+
+"Father, I should like to go to school--I long to go--I want to get on
+with my music, and Miss Briggs can't teach me any more."
+
+"Father, when girls are at boarding-schools they have parties and
+theatricals, and go to concerts, and have all sorts of fun.  We never
+have anything like that."
+
+"Father, I am not a child; I am nearly eighteen.  Chrystabel Maynard was
+only seventeen at the beginning of the book?"
+
+Mr Bertrand stirred uneasily, and brushed the hair from his forehead.
+Chrystabel Maynard was one of his own heroines, and the allusion brought
+home the reality of his daughter's age as nothing else could have done.
+His glance passed by Norah and Lettice and lingered musingly on Hilary's
+face.
+
+"Ha, what's this?  The revolt of the daughters!" he cried.  "Well,
+dears, you are quite right to be honest.  If you have any grievances on
+your little minds, speak out for goodness' sake, and let me hear all
+about them.  I am not an ogre of a father, who does not care what
+happens to his children so long as he gets his own way.  I want to see
+you happy.--So you are seventeen, Hilary!  I never realised it before.
+You are old enough to hear my reason for keeping you down here, and to
+judge if I am right.  When your mother died, three years ago, I was left
+in London with seven children on my hands.  You were fourteen then, a
+miserable, anaemic creature, with a face like a tallow candle, and lips
+as white as paper.  The boys came home from school and ran wild about
+the streets.  I could not get on with my work for worrying about you
+all, and a man must work to keep seven children.  I saw an advertisement
+of this house in the papers one day, and took it on the impulse of the
+moment.  It seemed to me that you would all grow strong in this fine,
+mountain air, and that I could work in peace, knowing that you were out
+of the way of mischief.  So far as the boys and myself are concerned,
+the plan has worked well.  I get on with my work, and they enjoy running
+wild in their holidays; but the little lasses have pined, have they?
+Poor little lasses!  I am sorry to hear that.  Now come--the post
+brought me some cheques this morning, and I am inclined to be generous.
+Next week, or the week after, I must run up to London on business, and I
+will bring you each a nice present on my return.  Choose what it shall
+be, and I will get it for you if it is to be found in the length and
+breadth of the city.  Now then, wish in turns.  What will you have?"
+
+"It's exactly like the father in _Beauty and the Beast_, before he
+starts on his travels!  I am sure Lettice would like a white moss rose!"
+cried Norah roguishly.  "As for me, I am afraid it's no use.  There is
+only one thing I want--lessons from the very best violin master in
+London!"
+
+"Three servants who could work by electricity, and not keep me running
+after them all day long!"
+
+"Half a dozen big country houses near to us, with sons and daughters in
+each, who would be our friends."
+
+They were all breathless with eagerness, and Mr Bertrand listened with
+wrinkled brow.  He had expected to be asked for articles of jewellery or
+finery, and the replies distressed him, as showing that the discontent
+was more deepseated than he had imagined.  For several moments he sat in
+silence, as though puzzling out a difficult problem.  Then his brow
+cleared, and he smiled, his own, cheery smile.
+
+"Hilary, pack your boxes, and get ready to go up to London with me on
+Monday week.  If you are seventeen, you are old enough to pay visits,
+and we will stay for a fortnight with my old friend Miss Carr, in
+Kensington.  She is a clever woman, and I will talk to her and see what
+can be done.  I can't work miracles, but I will do what I can to please
+you.  May I be allowed to have another cup of tea, Miss Seventeen?"
+
+"Poor, dear, old father!  Don't look so subdued.  You may have a dozen
+if you like.  Monday next!  How lovely!  You are the dearest father in
+all the world!"
+
+Mr Bertrand shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"When I give you your own way," he said drily.  "Pass the cake, Lettice.
+If I have three grown-up daughters on my hands, I must make every
+effort to keep up my strength."
+
+Lettice and Norah had a little conversation on the stairs as they went
+upstairs to change their dresses for dinner.
+
+"It's very nice for Hilary, this going up to London; but it doesn't do
+_us_ any good.  When is something going to happen for _us_?"
+
+"I suppose we shall have to wait for our turn," sighed Lettice
+dolefully; but that very same evening an unexpected excitement took
+place in the quiet household, and though the Mouse's prophecy was
+fulfilled, inasmuch as it could hardly be called an incident of a
+cheerful nature, it was yet fated to lead to great and far-reaching
+results.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+AN UNEXPECTED GUEST.
+
+The old grandfather's clock was just striking six o'clock when Raymond
+and Bob, the two public schoolboys, came home from their afternoon
+excursion.  They walked slowly up the drive, supporting between them the
+figure of a young fellow a few years older than themselves, who hopped
+painfully on one foot, and was no sooner seated on the oak bench in the
+hall, than he rested his head against the rails, and went off into a
+dead faint.  The boys shouted at the pitch of their voices, whereupon
+Mr Bertrand rushed out of his sanctum, followed by every other member
+of his household.
+
+"Good gracious!  Who is it?  What is the matter?  Where did he come
+from?  Has he had an accident?" cried the girls in chorus, while Miss
+Briggs ran off for sal volatile and other remedies.
+
+The stranger was a tall, lanky youth, about eighteen years of age, with
+curly brown hair and well-cut features, and he made a pathetic figure
+leaning back in the big oak seat.
+
+"He's the son of old Freer, the Squire of Brantmere," explained Raymond,
+as he busied himself unloosing the lad's collar and tie.  "We have met
+him several times when we have been walking.  Decent fellow--Harrow--
+reading at home for college, and hates it like poison.  We were coming a
+short cut over the mountains, when he slipped on a bit of ice, and
+twisted his ankle trying to keep up.  We had an awful time getting him
+back.  He meant to stay at the inn to-night, as his people are away, and
+it was too dark to go on, but he looks precious bad.  Couldn't we put
+him up here?"
+
+"Yes, yes, of course.  Better carry him straight to bed and get off that
+boot," said Mr Bertrand cordially.  "It will be a painful job, and if
+we can get it done before he comes round, so much the better.  Here, you
+boys, we'll carry him upstairs between us, and be careful not to trip as
+you go.  Someone bring up hot water, and bandages from the medicine
+chest.  I will doctor him myself.  I have had a fair experience of
+sprained ankles in my day, and don't need anyone to show me what to do."
+
+The procession wended its way up the staircase, and for the greater part
+of the evening father and brothers were alike invisible.  Fomentations
+and douches were carried on with gusto by Mr Bertrand, who was never
+more happy than when he was playing the part of amateur surgeon; then
+Miss Briggs had her innings, and carried a tray upstairs laden with all
+the dainties the house could supply, after partaking of which the
+invalid was so far recovered that he was glad of his friends' company,
+and kept them laughing and chatting in his room until it was time to go
+to bed.
+
+The next morning the ankle was much better, but, at his host's
+instigation, the young fellow despatched a note to his mother, telling
+her not to expect him home for a few days, as Mr Bertrand wished him to
+stay until he was better able to bear the long, hilly drive.
+
+The girls discussed the situation as they settled down to finish the
+much disliked mending in the afternoon.  "It's very annoying," Hilary
+said.  "I do hope he won't be long in getting better.  We were going to
+London on Monday week, but if he is still here we shall have to wait,
+and I hate having things postponed."
+
+"I wish he had been a girl," said Norah, who came in for so much teasing
+from her two brothers during the holidays that she did not welcome the
+idea of having another boy in the house.  "We could have had such fun
+together, and perhaps she might have asked us to stay with her some day.
+I should love to pay visits!  I wonder if father will take us up to
+London in turns, now that he has begun.  I do hope he will, for it would
+be great fun staying in Kensington.  I remember Miss Carr when we were
+in London; she was a funny old thing, but I liked her awfully.  She was
+often cross, but after she had scolded for about five minutes, she used
+to repent, and give us apples.  She will give you apples, Hilary, if you
+are very good!"
+
+Hilary screwed up her little nose with an expression of disdain.  Apples
+were not much of a treat to people who had an orchard at home, and she
+had outgrown the age of childish joy at the gift of such trifles.
+Before she could speak, however, the door burst open, and Raymond
+precipitated himself into the room.  He was a big, broad fellow of
+sixteen, for he and Lettice were twins, though widely differing in
+appearance.  Raymond had a flat face, thickly speckled over with
+freckles, reddish brown hair, and a pair of brown eyes which fairly
+danced with mischief.  It was safe to prophesy that in less than two
+minutes from the time that he entered the room where his sisters were
+sitting, they would all three be shrieking aloud in consternation, and
+the present instance was no exception to the rule.  It was very simply
+managed.  He passed one hand over the table where lay the socks and
+stockings which had been paired by Hilary's industrious fingers, and
+swept them, helter-skelter, on the floor.  He nudged Norah's elbow, so
+that the needle which she was threading went deep into her fingers, and
+chucked Lettice under the chin, so that she bit her tongue with a
+violence which was really painful.  This done, he plunged both hands
+into his pockets and danced a hornpipe on the hearthrug, while the girls
+abused him at the pitch of their voices.
+
+"Raymond Bertrand, you are the most horrid, ungentlemanly, nasty, rude
+boy I ever knew!"
+
+"If you were older you'd be ashamed of yourself.  It is only because you
+are a stupid, ignorant little schoolboy that you think it funny to be
+unkind to girls."
+
+"Very well, then!  You have given me all my work to do over again; now I
+won't make toffee this afternoon, as I promised!"
+
+"I don't want your old toffee.  I can buy toffee in the village if I
+want it," retorted Raymond cheerfully.  "Besides, I'm going out to
+toboggan with Bob, and I shan't be home until dark.  You girls will have
+to go and amuse Freer.  He is up, and wants something to do.  I'm not
+going to stay indoors on a jolly afternoon to talk to the fellow, so
+you'll have to do it instead."
+
+"Indeed, we'll do nothing of the kind; we have our work to do, and it is
+bad enough to have two tiresome boys on our hands without looking after
+a third.  He is your friend, and if you won't amuse him, he will have to
+stay by himself."
+
+"All right!  Nice, hospitable people you are!  Leave him alone to be as
+dull as he likes--it's no matter to me.  I told him that you would look
+after him, so the responsibility is off my shoulders."  Raymond paused,
+pointed in a meaning manner towards a curtained doorway at the end of
+the room, tiptoed up to the table, and finished his reply in a tragic
+whisper.  "And I've settled him on the couch in the drawing-room, so you
+had better not speak so loudly, because he can hear every word you say!"
+
+With this parting shot, Mr Raymond took his departure, banging the door
+after him, while his sisters sat paralysed, staring at each other with
+distended eyes.
+
+"How awful!  What _must_ he think?  We can't leave him alone after this.
+Hilary, you are the eldest, go and talk to him."
+
+"I won't--I don't know what to say.  Norah, you go!  Perhaps he is
+musical.  You can play to him on your violin!"
+
+"Thank you, very much.  I'll do nothing of the kind.  Lettice, you go;
+you are not shy.  Talk to him prettily, and show him the photographs."
+
+"I daren't; I am horribly shy.  I wouldn't go into that room now, after
+what he has heard, for fifty thousand pounds!"
+
+"Norah, look here, if you will go and sit with him until four o'clock,
+Lettice and I will finish your work between us, and we will all come and
+have tea in the drawing-room, and help you out for the rest of the
+afternoon!"
+
+"Yes, Norah, we will; and I'll give you that pink ribbon for your hair.
+Do, Norah! there's a good girl.  You won't mind a bit after the first
+moment."
+
+"It's all very well," grumbled Norah; but she was plainly softening, and
+after a moment's hesitation, she pushed back her chair and said slowly,
+"All right, I'll go; but mind you are punctual with tea, for I don't
+bargain to stay a moment after four o'clock."  She brushed the ends of
+cotton from her dress, walked across to the door, and disappeared
+through the doorway with a pantomimic gesture of distaste.  At the other
+side she paused and stood facing the invalid in silent embarrassment,
+for his cheeks were flushed, and he looked so supremely uncomfortable
+that it was evident he had overheard the loud-toned conversation which
+had been carried on between the brother and sisters.  Norah looked at
+him and saw a young fellow who looked much older and more formidable
+than he had done in his unconsciousness the night before, for his grey
+eyes had curious, dilating pupils, and a faint mark on the upper lip
+showed where the moustache of the future was to be.  The stranger looked
+at Norah, and saw a tall, slim girl, with masses of dark hair falling
+down her back, heavily marked eyebrows, and a bright, sharply cut little
+face, which was very attractive, if it could not strictly be called
+pretty.
+
+"How do you do?" said Norah desperately.  "I hope you are quite--I mean,
+I hope your foot is better.  I am glad you are able to get up."
+
+"Thank you very much.  It's all right so long as I lie still.  It's very
+good of you to let me stay here.  I hope I'm not a great nuisance."
+
+"Oh, not at all.  I'm sure you are not.  I'm not the eldest, you know,
+I'm only the third, so I have nothing to do with the housekeeping, but
+there are so many of us that one more doesn't make any difference.  My
+name is Norah."
+
+"And mine is Reginald, but I am always called Rex.  Please don't trouble
+about me if you have anything else to do.  If you would give me a book,
+I'd amuse myself."
+
+"Are you fond of reading?"
+
+"No, I hate it--that is to say, I like it very much, of course, but I
+have had so much of it for the last two years that I sometimes feel that
+I hate the sight of a book.  But it's different here, for a few hours."
+
+"I think I'll stay and talk to you, if you don't mind," said Norah,
+seating herself on an oak stool by the fire, and holding out a thin,
+brown hand to shade her face from the blaze.  "I'm very fond of talking
+when I get to know people a little bit.  Raymond told us that you were
+reading at home to prepare for college, and that you didn't like it.  I
+suppose that is why you are tired of books.  I wish I were in your
+place!  I'd give anything to go to a town, and get on with my studies,
+but I have to stay at home and learn from a governess.  Wouldn't it be
+nice if we could change places?  Then we should both be pleased, and get
+what we liked."
+
+The young fellow gave a laugh of amusement.  "I don't think I should
+care for the governess," he said, "though she seems awfully kind and
+jolly, if she is the lady who looked after me last night.  I've had
+enough lessons to last me for the rest of my life, and I want to get to
+work, but my father is bent on having a clever son, and can't make up
+his mind to be disappointed."
+
+"And aren't you clever?  I don't think you look exactly stupid!" said
+Norah, so innocently, that Rex burst into a hearty laugh.
+
+"Oh, I hope I'm not so bad as that.  I am what is called `intelligent,'
+don't you know, but I shall never make a scholar, and it is waste of
+time and money to send me to college.  It is not in me.  I am not fond
+of staying in the house and poring over books and papers.  I couldn't be
+a doctor and spend my life in sick-rooms; the law would drive me crazy,
+and I could as soon jump over a mountain as write two new sermons a
+week.  I want to go abroad--to India or Ceylon, or one of those places--
+and get into a berth where I can be all day walking about in the open
+air, and looking after the natives."
+
+"Oh, I see.  You don't like to work yourself, but you feel that it is
+`in you' to make other people exert themselves!  You would like to have
+a lot of poor coolies under you, and order them about from morning till
+night--that's what you mean.  I think you must be very lazy to talk like
+that!" said Norah, nodding her head in such a meaning fashion that the
+young fellow flushed in embarrassment.
+
+"Indeed, I'm nothing of the kind.  I am very energetic--in my own way.
+There are all sorts of gifts, and everyone knows which one has fallen to
+his share.  It's stupid to pretend that you don't, I know I am not
+intellectual, but I also know that I have a natural gift of management.
+At school I had the arrangement of all the games and sports, and the
+fellows would obey me when no one else could do anything with them.  I
+should like to have a crowd of workmen under me--and I'll tell you this!
+they would do more work, and do it better, and be more contented over
+it, than any other workmen in the district!"
+
+"Gracious!" cried Norah, "you are conceited!  But I believe you are
+right.  It's something in your eyes--I noticed it as soon as I saw you--
+a sort of commanding look, and a flash every now and then when you
+aren't quite pleased.  They flashed like anything just now, when I said
+you were lazy!  The poor coolies would be frightened out of their
+senses.  But you needn't go abroad unless you like.  You could stay at
+home and keep a school."
+
+"No, thank you.  I know too much about it.  I don't want the life
+worried out of me by a lot of boys.  I could manage them quite well
+though, if I chose."
+
+"You couldn't manage me!"  Norah brought her black brows together in
+defiant fashion, but the challenge was not taken up, for Master Rex
+simply ejaculated, "Oh, girls!  I wasn't talking about girls," and laid
+his head against the cushions in such an indifferent fashion that Norah
+felt snubbed; and the next question came in a very subdued little
+voice--"Don't you--er--_like_ girls?"
+
+"Ye-es--pretty well--the ones I know.  I like my sister, of course, but
+we have only seen each other in the holidays for the last six years.
+She is sixteen now, and has to leave school because her chest is
+delicate, and she has come home to be coddled.  She don't like it a
+bit--leaving school, I mean--so it seems that none of us are contented.
+She's clever, in music especially; plays both violin and piano
+uncommonly well for a girl of her age."
+
+"Oh, does she?  That's my gift.  I play the violin beautifully," cried
+Norah modestly, and when Rex laughed aloud she grew angry, and protested
+in snappish manner, "Well, you said yourself that we could not help
+knowing our own talents.  It's quite true, I _do_ play well.  Everyone
+says so.  If you don't believe it, I'll get my violin and let you hear."
+
+"I wish you would!  Please forgive me for laughing, I didn't mean to be
+rude, but it sounded so curious that I forgot what I was doing.  Do
+play!  I should love to hear you."
+
+Norah walked across the room and lifted the beloved violin from its
+case.  Her cheeks were flushed, and she was tingling with the
+remembrance of that incredulous laugh, but her anger only made her the
+more resolved to prove the truth of her words.  She stood before Rex in
+the firelight, her slim figure drawn up to its full height, and the
+first sweep of the bow brought forth a sound so sweet and full, that he
+started in amazement.  The two sisters in the adjoining room stopped
+their work to listen, and whispered to one another that they had never
+heard Norah play so well; and when at last she dropped her arms, and
+stood waiting for Rex to give his verdict, he could only gasp in
+astonishment.
+
+"I say, it's wonderful!  You can play, and no mistake!  What is the
+piece?  I never heard it before.  It's beautiful.  I like it awfully."
+
+"Oh, nothing.  It isn't a piece.  I made it up as I went along.  It is
+too dark to see the music, and I love wandering along just as I like.
+I'll play you some pieces later on when the lamps are lit."
+
+"I say, you know, you are most awfully clever!  If you play like that
+now, you could do as well as any of those professional fellows if you
+had a chance.  And to be able to compose as well!  You are a genius--it
+isn't talent--it's real, true, genuine genius!"
+
+"Oh, do you think so?  Do you really, truly think so?" cried Norah
+pitifully.  "Oh, I wish you would say so to father!  He won't let us go
+away to school, and I do so long and pine to have more lessons.  I
+learnt in London ever since I was a tiny little girl, and from a very
+good master, but the last three years I have had to struggle on by
+myself.  Father is not musical himself, and so he doesn't notice my
+playing, but if you would tell him what you think--"
+
+"I'll tell him with pleasure; but if he won't allow you to leave home, I
+don't see what is to be done--unless--look here!  I've got an idea.  My
+sister may want to take lessons, and if there were two pupils it might
+be worth while getting a man down from Preston or Lancaster.  Ella
+couldn't come here, because she can only go out on fine days, but you
+could come to us, you know.  It would make it so much more difficult if
+the fellow had to drive six miles over the mountains, and we are nearer
+a station than you are here.  I should think it could be managed easily
+enough.  I'll write to the mater about it if you like."
+
+"Will you, really?  How lovely of you!  Oh, it would be quite too
+delightful if it could be managed.  I'd bless you for ever.  Oh, isn't
+it a good thing you sprained your ankle?" cried Norah in a glow of
+enthusiasm, and the burst of laughter which followed startled the
+occupants of the next room by its ring of good fellowship.
+
+"Really," said Hilary, "the strange boy must be nicer than we thought.
+Norah and he seem to be getting quite good friends.  Let us hurry up,
+and go and join them."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+ROUND THE FIRE.
+
+Mrs Freer wrote a grateful letter to Mr Bertrand, thanking him for his
+hospitality to her son, and arranging to drive over for Rex on the
+following Saturday afternoon, so that Hilary's anxiety was at an end,
+and she could enjoy the strange boy's society with an easy mind.  After
+Norah had broken the ice, there was no further feeling of shyness.  When
+Rex hobbled downstairs at ten o'clock in the morning, he ensconced
+himself on the old-fashioned sofa in the sewing-room, and remained there
+until he adjourned into the drawing-room for the evening.  The boys came
+in and out as they pleased, Miss Briggs coddled him and brought him cups
+of beef-tea, but it was upon the girls that he chiefly depended for
+amusement.  In the morning they were busy with their household duties;
+but, as regular lessons had not begun, afternoon was a free time, and
+while Norah drew, Lettice carved, and Hilary occupied herself
+manufacturing fineries for the London visit, a brisk clatter of tongues
+was kept up, in which the invalid took his full part.  The sound of
+five-finger exercises would come from the schoolroom overhead, but so
+soon as four o'clock struck, the Mouse would steal in, in her little
+white pinafore, and creep on to the corner of the sofa.  She and the
+"strange boy" had made friends at once, and were on the best of terms.
+
+"I wish you lived with us for ever!" she said one afternoon, looking
+lovingly in his face, as he stroked her wavy locks.
+
+"And I wish you lived with me, Mouse," he answered.  "I should like a
+little sister like you, with a tiny pointed chin, and a tiny little
+nose, and big dark eyes.  You are a real little mouse.  It is exactly
+the right name for you."
+
+"No, it's my wrong name.  My true name is Geraldine Audrey.  It's
+written that way in the Bible."
+
+"Dear me! that's a big name for a small person.  And who gave you that
+name?" asked Rex, laughing.  But the child's face did not relax from its
+characteristic gravity as she replied--
+
+"My godfathers and my godmothers, and a silver mug, and a knife and fork
+in a case, with `GAB' written on the handles.  Only I mayn't use them
+till I'm seven, in case I cut my fingers."
+
+Dear little Geraldine Audrey!  Everyone loved her.  She was always so
+desperately in earnest, so unsuspicious of fraud, that her little life
+was made a burden to her in the holidays by reason of the pranks of her
+big brothers.  They sent her into village shops to demand "a halfpenny-
+worth of pennies," they kept her shivering in the drive staring at the
+lions on the top of the gate-posts, to see them wag their tails when
+they heard the clock strike twelve; they despatched her into the garden
+with neat little packets of salt to put on the birds' tails, and watched
+the poor mite's efforts in contortions of laughter from behind the
+window curtains.  The Mouse was more sorrowful than angry when the
+nature of these tricks was explained to her.  "I fought you told the
+trufh," she would say quietly, and then Raymond and Bob would pick her
+up in their arms, and try to make amends for their wickedness by petting
+her for the rest of the day.
+
+On the third day of Rex's visit, the weather was so tempestuous that
+even Raymond and Bob did not stir from the house.  They spent the
+morning over chemical experiments in the schoolroom, but when afternoon
+came they wearied of the unusual confinement and were glad to join the
+cosy party downstairs.  Norah had a brilliant inspiration, and suggested
+"Chestnuts," and Master Raymond sat in comfort, directing the efforts of
+poor red-faced Bob, as he bent over the fire and roasted his fingers as
+well as the nuts.  When half a dozen young people are gathered round a
+fire, catching hot nuts in outstretched hands, and promptly dropping
+them with shrieks of dismay, the last remnants of shyness must needs
+disappear; and Rex was soon as uproarious as any other member of the
+family, complaining loudly when his "turn" was forgotten, and abusing
+the unfortunate Bob for presenting him with a cinder instead of the
+expected dainty.  The clatter of tongues was kept up without a moment's
+intermission, and, as is usual under such circumstances, the
+conversation was chiefly concerned with the past exploits of the family.
+
+"You can't have half as many jokes in the country as you can in town,"
+Raymond declared.  "When we were in London, two old ladies lived in the
+house opposite ours, who used to sit sewing in the window by the hour
+together.  One day, when the sun was shining, Bob and I got hold of a
+mirror and flashed it at them from our window so that the light dazzled
+their eyes and made them jump.  They couldn't see us, because we were
+hiding behind the curtains, but it was as good as a play to watch first
+one, then the other, drop her work and put up her hand to her eye?  Then
+they began shaking their fists across the road, for they knew it was us,
+because we had played some fine tricks on them before.  On wet days we
+used to make up a sham parcel, tie a thread to the end, and put it on
+the side of the pavement.  Everyone who came along stooped down to pick
+it up, we gave a jerk to the string and moved it on a little further,
+then they gave another grab, and once or twice a man overbalanced
+himself and fell down, but it didn't always come off so well as that--
+oh, it was capital sport!"
+
+"You got into trouble yourselves sometimes.  You didn't always get the
+best of it," Norah reminded him.  "Do you remember the day when you
+found a ladder leaning against the area railings of a house in the white
+terrace?  Father had forbidden you to climb ladders, but you were a
+naughty boy, as usual, and began to do it, and when you got to the top,
+the ladder overbalanced, and you fell head over heels into the area.  It
+is a wonder you were not killed that time!"
+
+Raymond chuckled softly, as if at a pleasant remembrance.  "But I was
+not, you see, and the cook got a jolly fright.  She was making pastry at
+a table by the window, and down we came, ladder and I, the finest smash
+in the world.  There was more glass than flour in the pies that day!"
+
+"But father had to pay for new windows, and you were all over bruises
+from head to foot--"
+
+"That didn't matter.  It was jolly.  I could have exhibited myself in a
+show as a `boy leopard,' and made no end of money.  And I wasn't the
+only one who made father pay for new windows.  When Bob was a little
+fellow, he broke the nursery window by mistake, and a glazier came to
+mend it.  Bob sat on a stool watching him do it, and snored all the
+time--Bob always snores when he is interested--and as soon as the man
+had picked up his tools and left the room, what did he do but jump up
+and send a toy horse smashing through the pane again.  He wanted to
+watch the glazier put in another, but he hadn't the pleasure of seeing
+it mended that time.  He was whipped and sent to bed."
+
+"We-w-w-well," cried Bob, who was afflicted with a stammer when he was
+excited, "I didn't c-c-ut off my eyelashes, anyway!  Norah went up to
+her room one day and p-played barber's shop.  She cut lumps off her hair
+wherever she could get at it, till she looked like an Indian squaw, and
+then she s-s-snipped off her eyelashes till there wasn't a hair left.
+She was sent to bed as w-well as me."
+
+"They have grown again since then," said Norah, shutting one eye, and
+screwing up her face in a vain effort to prove the truth of her words.
+"I had been to see Lettice have her hair cut that day, and I was longing
+to try what it felt like.  I knew it was naughty, but I couldn't stop,
+it was too fascinating. ...  Oh, Lettice, _do_ you remember when you
+sucked your thumb?"
+
+Lettice threw up her hands with a little shriek of laughter.  "Oh, how
+funny it was!  I used to suck my thumb, Rex, until I was quite a big
+girl, six years old, I think, and one day mother spoke to me seriously,
+and said I really must give it up.  If I didn't I was to be punished; if
+I did, I was to get a prize.  I said, `Well, may I suck my thumb as long
+as ever I like to-day, for the very last time?'  Mother said I might, so
+I sat on the stairs outside the nursery door and sucked my thumb all day
+long--hours, hours, and hours, and after that I was never seen to suck
+it again.  I had had enough!"
+
+"It must be awfully nice to belong to a large family," said Rex
+wistfully.  "You can have such fun together.  Edna and I were very quiet
+at home, but I had splendid times at school, and sometimes I used to
+bring some of the fellows down to stay with me in the holidays.  One
+night I remember--hallo, here's the Mouse!  I thought you were having a
+nice little sleep on the schoolroom sofa, Mouse.  Come here and sit by
+me."
+
+Geraldine advanced to the fireplace in her usual deliberate fashion.
+She was quite calm and unruffled, and found time to smile at each member
+of the party before she spoke.
+
+"So I was asleep, only they's a fire burning on the carpet of the
+schoolroom, and it waked me up."
+
+"Wh-at?"
+
+"They's a fire burning in the miggle of the carpet--a blue fire, jest
+like a plum pudding!"
+
+There was a simultaneous shriek of dismay, as work, scissors, and
+chestnuts were thrown wildly on the floor, and the Bertrand family
+rushed upstairs in a stampede of excitement.  The schoolroom door stood
+open, the rug thrown back from the couch on which the Mouse had been
+lying, and in the centre of the well-worn carpet, little blue flames
+were dancing up and down, exactly as they do on a Christmas pudding
+which has been previously baptised with spirit.  Bob cast a guilty look
+at his brother, who stuck his hands in his pockets and looked at the
+conflagration with smiling patronage.
+
+"Phosphorus pentoxide P2O5," he remarked coolly.  "What a lark!"
+
+"It wouldn't have been a lark if the Mouse had been stifled by the
+nasty, horrid fumes," said Lettice angrily.  "Get some water at once and
+help us put it out, before the whole house is on fire."
+
+"Water, indeed!  Don't do anything so foolish.  You mustn't touch it
+with water.  Here, it's only a square, pull the thing up and throw it
+through the window into the garden.  That's the best thing we can do,"
+said Raymond, dropping on his knees and setting himself to pull and tear
+with all his strength.  Bob and the girls did their best to assist him,
+for the Bertrands were accustomed to help themselves, and in a very few
+minutes the carpet was lifted, folded hurriedly in two, and sent flying
+through the window to the garden beneath.  After which the tired and
+begrimed labourers sank down on chairs, and panted for breath.
+
+"This is what comes of chemical experiments," said Hilary severely.  "I
+shall ask father to forbid you to play with such dangerous things in the
+house.  I wonder what on earth you will do next."
+
+"Have some tea!  This sort of work is tiring.  I'm going downstairs to
+ring the bell and hurry Mary up," said Raymond coolly.  It was
+absolutely impossible to get that dreadful boy to realise his own
+enormities!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+A VISIT TO LONDON.
+
+On Saturday afternoon Mrs Freer drove up to the door in an old-
+fashioned carriage.  She was a thin, little woman, not at all like her
+big son, whom she evidently adored as the most wonderful specimen of his
+sex, and full of gratitude for the kindness which had been shown to him.
+Rex's letter had evidently been of a descriptive nature, for his mother
+recognised each of the three girls, addressed them by name, and referred
+to their special interests.
+
+"How do you do, Miss Hilary?  I hope my son's illness has not interfered
+with the arrangements for your journey.  How do you do, Miss Lettice?
+How do you do, Norah?  Rex has told me of your wonderful playing.  I
+hope you will let me hear something before I go."
+
+Norah was never loath to play, and on this occasion was anxious to make
+a good impression, so that Mrs Freer might gain her father's consent to
+the proposed music lessons.  At the earliest opportunity, therefore, she
+produced her violin, played her favourite selections, and had the
+satisfaction of seeing that Mrs Freer was unmistakably impressed.
+
+The little head in the large black bonnet approached Mr Bertrand's in
+confidential fashion.  Norah watched the smile of pleasure on her
+father's face, followed by the usual pucker of the brows with which he
+was wont to receive a difficult question.  Mrs Freer was evidently
+approaching the subject of the professor from Lancaster, and presently,
+oh, joy! the frown passed away, he was leaning forward, clasping his
+hands round his knees, and listening with an air of pleased attention.
+
+"Mr Freer is quite willing to allow Edna to take lessons, even if they
+should be rather expensive, for the poor child frets at being separated
+from her friends, and she is not strong enough to remain at school.  She
+could not come here to have her lesson, I am afraid, for she is only
+allowed to go out when the weather is mild and sunny; but if you would
+allow Norah to come to us for the day, once a fortnight (fortnightly
+lessons would be quite enough, don't you think?), it would be a real
+pleasure to have her.  She would have to stay for the night, of course,
+for it is too far to come and go in one day, but Edna would be all the
+more charmed!  It would be a charity to the poor child!"
+
+"You are very good.  It sounds feasible.  If you will be kind enough to
+make inquiries, I shall be happy to fall in with your arrangements.  And
+now let me give you some tea."
+
+Half an hour later the carriage was brought round again, for the nights
+grew dark so soon that it was necessary to make an early start on the
+ten-mile drive.  Rex hobbled down the hall on his sticks, escorted by
+the entire Bertrand family, for the week of his visit had seemed to
+place him on the standing of a familiar friend, and the Mouse shed tears
+when he kissed her in the porch, while Lettice looked the picture of
+woe.  Norah was the most cheerful of all, for Rex whispered in her
+ear--"I'll keep them up to the mark about the lessons.  We will have
+some good times together when you come over, and--I say!--I impressed
+upon your father that you were awfully clever; you'll have to do as much
+for me, and convince mine that I am too stupid to do any good at
+college--!"
+
+"Oh, I will!" said Norah emphatically.  "I will!  Good-bye.  I'm most
+fearfully obliged!"  She stood on the path waving her hand and nodding
+farewells so long as the carriage remained in sight.  It seemed as if
+her wish were to be fulfilled indeed, and the thought of the new friends
+and the fortnightly visits to Brantmere filled her with delighted
+expectation.
+
+For the next few days Hilary was as busy as a bee preparing for her
+visit to London.  She gathered together all her nicest things, and, not
+content with her own, cast a covetous eye on the possessions of her
+sisters.  Half a dozen times in the course of the morning the door of
+the room in which the two youngest sisters sat would burst open, and
+Hilary's sleek little head appear round the corner to make some new
+request.
+
+"Lettice! you might lend me your new muff!"
+
+"Oh, Hilary!  I only got it at Christmas, and I need it myself in this
+cold weather."
+
+"Don't be so selfish.  I'll leave you my old one.  It doesn't matter
+what sort of a muff you wear here, and you know quite well mine is too
+shabby for London.  It's only for a fortnight!"
+
+"Oh, well, I suppose you must have it.  It's very hard, though, for I do
+like nice things, even if I am in the country."
+
+"Oh, thanks awfully.  I'll take mine to your room."  Then the door would
+bang and Hilary's footsteps be heard flying up the staircase, but in
+less than ten minutes she would be down again with another request.
+"You don't mind, I suppose, if I take your silver brushes?"
+
+"My silver brushes!  I should think I _do_ mind, indeed.  What next?"
+
+"But you never use them.  You might just as well lend them to me as
+leave them lying in their case upstairs."
+
+"I am keeping them until I go away visiting.  If I don't even use them
+myself, it's not likely I am going to lend them to anyone else."
+
+"Lettice, how mean!  What harm could I do to the brushes in a fortnight?
+You know what a grand house Miss Carr's is, and it would be too horrid
+for me to go with a common wooden brush.  I do think you might lend them
+to me!"
+
+"Oh, well, you can have them if you like, but you are not afraid of
+asking, I must say!  Is there anything else--?"
+
+"Not from you; at least, I don't think so just now.  But, Norah, I want
+your bangle--the gold one, you know!  Lend it to me, like a dear, won't
+you?"
+
+"If you lose it, will you buy me a new one?"
+
+"I won't lose it.  I'll only wear it in the evening, and I'll be most
+awfully careful."
+
+"You have a bangle of your own.  Why can't you be content with that?"
+
+"I want two--one for each arm; they look so nice with short sleeves.
+I'll put it in my jewel-box, and lock it up safely--"
+
+"I haven't said I would lend it to you yet."
+
+But Hilary ran away laughing, and gathered brushes and bangles together
+in triumph.
+
+It was on the evening preceding the journey to London that Mr Bertrand
+came upon his second daughter standing alone in the upstairs corridor,
+which ran the whole length of the house, pressing her forehead against
+the panes of the windows.  Lettice had been unusually quiet during the
+last few days, and her father was glad to have the opportunity of a
+quiet talk.
+
+"All alone, dear?" he asked, putting his arm round her waist and drawing
+her towards him.  "I was thinking about you only a few minutes ago.  I
+said on New Year's Day, you remember, that I wanted to give each of you
+three girls some special little present.  Well, Hilary is having this
+trip with me, and Norah seems in a fair way of getting her wish in the
+matter of lessons; but what about you?  I'll take you with me next time
+I go away; but in the meantime, is there any little thing you fancy that
+I could bring back from London town?"
+
+"No, thank you, father.  I don't want anything."
+
+"Quite sure?  Or--or--anything I can do for you here, before I go?"
+
+"No, thank you, father.  Nothing at all."
+
+The tone was dull and listless, and Mr Bertrand looked down at the fair
+face nestled against his shoulder with anxious eyes.
+
+"What is it, dear?  What is the matter, my pretty one?"
+
+He was almost startled by the transformation which passed over the
+girl's face as he spoke the last few words.  The colour rushed into the
+cheeks, the lips trembled, and the beautiful eyes gazed meltingly into
+his.  Lettice put up her arm and flung it impetuously round his neck.
+
+"Do you love me, father?  Do you really love me?"
+
+"Love you!  My precious child!  I love every one of you--dearly--dearly!
+But you--" Mr Bertrand's voice broke off with an uncontrollable
+tremble--"you know there are special reasons why you are dear to me,
+Lettice.  When I look at you I seem to see your mother again as I met
+her first.  Why do you ask such a question?  You surely know that I love
+you, without being told?"
+
+"But I like being told," said Lettice plaintively.  "I like people to
+say nice things, and to be loving and demonstrative.  Hilary laughs at
+me if I am affectionate, and the boys tease.  Sometimes I feel so
+lonely!"
+
+Mr Bertrand drew his breath in a short, stabbing sigh.  He was
+realising more keenly every day how difficult it was to bring up young
+girls without a mother's tender care.  Hilary, with the strain of
+hardness and self-seeking which would ruin her disposition unless it
+were checked in time; beautiful Lettice, longing for love and
+admiration, and so fatally susceptible to a few flattering words; Norah,
+with her exceptional talents, and daring, fearless spirit--how was he to
+manage them all during the most critical years of their lives?  "I must
+speak to Helen Carr.  Helen Carr will help me," he said to himself, and
+sighed with relief at the thought of sharing his burden with the kind-
+hearted friend of his youth.
+
+It was nearly six o'clock when the travellers drove up to the door of
+the white house in Kensington, and Miss Carr came into the hall to meet
+them, looking far less altered by the lapse of years than did her young
+visitor, who had developed from a delicate schoolgirl into a self-
+possessed young lady of seventeen.
+
+"And this is Hilary.  Tut, tut! what do you mean by growing up in this
+ridiculous manner, child?"  Miss Carr pecked the girl's cheek with a
+formal kiss, and turned to hold out both hands to Mr Bertrand.
+"Austin! how good to see you again.  This is a pleasure--a real
+pleasure."  There was no doubting the sincerity of the tone, which was
+one of most affectionate welcome, and the plain old face beneath the
+white cap was beaming with smiles.  Miss Carr had been Austin Bertrand's
+devoted friend from his youth onwards, one of the earliest believers in
+his literary powers, and the most gratified by the fame which he had
+gained.  Hilary was left out in the cold for the next ten minutes, while
+the old lady fussed round her father, inquiring anxiously if he were
+cold, if he were tired, and pressing all manner of refreshments upon
+him.  Even over dinner itself she received scanty attention.  She had
+put on a pretty blue dress, with a drapery of lace over the shoulders,
+arranged her hair in a style copied from the latest fashion book, and
+snapped the gold bangles on her arms, with a result which seemed highly
+satisfactory upstairs, but not quite so much so when she entered the
+drawing-room, for Miss Carr put up her eye-glasses, stared at her
+fixedly for several moments, and then delivered herself of an expressive
+grunt.  "Deary me! seventeen, are we!  Don't be in too great a hurry to
+grow up, my dear.  The time will come when you will be only too thankful
+to be young!"
+
+At this rate Hilary began to feel that it was not uninterrupted bliss to
+be in London, and this suspicion was deepened when at nine o'clock her
+hostess looked at her stolidly, and remarked--
+
+"You are tired, my dear.  Go to bed, and have a good night's rest."
+
+Hilary bridled, and held her little head at the angle of injured dignity
+which her sisters knew so well.  Nine o'clock indeed!  As if she were a
+baby!
+
+"Oh, thank you, Miss Carr, but I am not tired.  It was such an easy
+journey.  I am not sleepy at all."
+
+"My dear, all young girls ought to get to bed and have their beauty
+sleep before twelve o'clock.  Don't mind me.  Your father will manage to
+entertain me.  He and I have always plenty to say to each other."
+
+After such plain speaking as this, it was impossible to object any
+further.  Hilary rose with a flush on her cheeks, kissed her father, and
+held out a stiff little hand towards Miss Carr.  The old lady looked at
+her, and her face softened.  She was beginning to repent, in the
+characteristic manner to which Norah had referred.  Hilary felt herself
+pulled forward, kissed lovingly on the lips, and heard a kindly tone
+take the place of the mocking accents, "Good-night, dearie, good-night!
+We must have some good times while you are here.  Sleep well, and to-
+morrow we will talk things over, and make our plans."
+
+The door shut behind the girl, and the two occupants of the room looked
+at one another in silence.  Miss Carr's expression was self-conscious
+and apologetic; Mr Bertrand's twitching with humorous enjoyment.
+
+"Too bad, Helen, too bad!  I can't have my poor little lass snubbed like
+that!"
+
+"My dear Austin, it will do her all the good in the world.  What a
+little Miss Consequence!  What have you been about to let the child
+think so much of herself?"
+
+"Put a woman's responsibilities on her shoulders before she was ready to
+bear them.  My dear Helen, that's the very thing about which I am
+anxious to consult you.  These girls of mine are getting on my nerves.
+I don't know what to do with them.  Hilary has the audacity to be
+seventeen, and for the last eighteen months she has practically done all
+the housekeeping.  Miss Briggs looks after the Mouse--Geraldine, you
+know--gives lessons to Lettice and Norah, but beyond that she does
+little else.  She is a good, reliable soul and a great comfort in many
+ways, but I fear the girls are getting beyond her.  We had a conference
+on New Year's Day, and I find that they are tired of present
+arrangements, and pining for a change.  I promised to think things over,
+and see what could be done, and I want your advice.  Hilary is a
+conscientious, hard-working little soul.  She has been thrust into a
+responsible position too soon, and it is not her fault if she is a
+trifle overbearing, poor child.  At the same time, it will be a terrible
+misfortune if she grows up hard and unsympathetic.  Norah is a vivacious
+young person, and they tell me she is developing a genius for music.
+She is afire to go abroad and study, but I think I have settled her for
+the time being with the promise of the best lessons that the
+neighbourhood can produce.  Lettice--"
+
+"Yes--Lettice?"
+
+"She is a beautiful girl, Helen!  You remember what Elma was at her age.
+Lettice is going to be quite as lovely; but I am more anxious about her
+than any of the others.  She is demonstrative herself, and loves
+demonstration, and flattery, and appreciation.  It's natural, of
+course--quite natural--but I don't want her to grow up into a woman who
+lives only for admiration, and whose head can be turned by the first
+flattering tongue that comes along.  What would be the best thing for a
+girl with exceptional beauty, and such a disposition as this--?"
+
+Miss Carr gave one of her comical grunts, "Small-pox, I should say!" she
+replied brusquely, then softened into a laugh at the sight of her
+friend's horrified face.  "I see you are like most parents, Austin; all
+your geese are swans!  Norah a genius, Lettice a beauty, and Hilary a
+model housewife!  You seem to be in a nest of troubles, poor man; but I
+can't undertake to advise you until I know more of the situation.  We
+will have a pleasant time while you are here--take Miss Consequence
+about, and let her see a little life; and then, as you're an old friend,
+I'll sacrifice myself on your behalf, and as soon as the weather is
+anything like warm, pay you a visit, and see how things are for myself."
+
+"My dear Helen, this is really noble of you.  I know your dread of the
+`North Countrie,' and I assure you I appreciate your self-sacrifice.
+There is no one else in the world who can help me so much as you."
+
+"Well, well, I have an idea; but I won't say anything about it until I
+know the girls better.  Would you be willing to--"
+
+"Yes, what?"
+
+"Nothing at all.  What a silly old woman I am to be sure, when I had
+just said that I wouldn't speak of it!  It's something for the good of
+your girls, Austin, but that's all you will hear about it until I come
+to Cloudsdale, and see them for myself."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+SCARLET SLIPPERS.
+
+So soon as Mr Bertrand's arrival in town became known, he was inundated
+with invitations of every description.  To most of these it was
+impossible to take Hilary, but Miss Carr was indefatigable in escorting
+the girl to concerts and entertainments, and insisted that she should
+accompany her father when it was possible.
+
+"If the child is old enough to have the responsibility of a household,
+she is old enough to have a little enjoyment, and to make her entrance
+into society.  She is eighteen next May, she tells me, and she is old
+for her age.  You must certainly take her to Lady Mary's `At Home.'
+There will be music, and recitations, and a crowd of people--just the
+sort of thing to please a young girl!"
+
+Mr Bertrand shrugged his shoulders and affected to be horrified at the
+idea of having to take out a grown-up daughter.  "It makes a man feel so
+old," he said, "and I know quite well I shall forget all about her when
+I begin talking to my old friends!  However, I'll do my best.  See that
+the child has something decent to wear, like a good soul.  I'm not so
+short of money now as in the days when you used to send hampers to my
+rooms in Oxford, and I should like her to look well.  She is not a
+beauty like Lettice, but she is a nice-looking little girl in her way,
+isn't she, Helen?"
+
+"Oh, I think we may give her credit for more than that.  She has an
+exquisite complexion, and holds up her little head as if she were quite
+conscious of being the eldest child of a famous man.  You won't be
+ashamed of your daughter, I promise you."
+
+Hilary was delighted at the thought of accompanying her father to the
+"At Home," but though she gushed over the prospect in her letters to her
+sisters, she did her utmost to hide her excitement from Miss Carr.  The
+old lady had a habit of making sly little hits at her expense, the cause
+of which the girl totally misunderstood.  She imagined that it was her
+youth and want of experience which annoyed her hostess, whereas, in
+reality, it was her affectation of age and worldly knowledge.  When the
+night arrived, however, it was impossible to keep as calm as she would
+have liked, as she arrayed herself in her dainty new frock before
+dinner.  Miss Carr's choice had been eminently successful.  A plain
+white satin dress with an overskirt of chiffon, which gave an effect of
+misty lightness, a wreath of snowdrops among the puffings at the neck,
+and long ends of ribbon hanging from the waist.  Hilary looked very
+sweet and fresh as she walked into the drawing-room, with a flush of
+self-conscious pleasure on her cheeks, and her father gave a start of
+surprise as he saw her.
+
+"So!  My little girl!"  Miss Carr was not yet in the room, and he took
+Hilary by the hands, holding her out at arm's length, and looking down
+at her with grave, tender eyes.  "It's very nice, dear.  I'm proud of
+you!"  Then drawing her to him, and kissing her on the forehead, "We
+must be great friends, you and I, my big daughter.  This is the
+beginning of a new life for you, but you will not grow to think less of
+the old home and the old friends?"
+
+"No, no, father! no, never!"  Hilary spoke in a quick, breathless
+whisper, and there was an unusual moisture in her eyes.  Her father saw
+that she was nervous and excited, and hastened to change the subject
+before there was any danger of a breakdown.  The door opened at this
+moment to admit Miss Carr, and he advanced to meet her holding Hilary's
+hand in his, in the high, stately fashion in which a knight of old led
+out his partner in the gavotte.
+
+"Miss Hilary Maud Everette Bertrand--at your service.  And many thanks
+to the good fairy who has worked the transformation!"
+
+"Humph!" said Mrs Carr, shortly.  "Fine feathers make fine birds.
+There's the gong for dinner, and if you two are not hungry, I am, so let
+us get the serious business over first, and then I'll have a look at the
+fineries."  Then, after her usual fashion, she slipped her hand through
+the girl's arm and led her affectionately across the hall.  "Sweet
+seventeen!  Ah, dear me, I wonder how many years ago it is since I went
+out in my first white dress?  I was a pretty girl then, my dear, though
+you may not think it to look at me now, and I remember my excitement as
+if it were yesterday."
+
+When the carriage came to the door two hours later on, Hilary wrapped
+herself up in fleecy shawls and went into the drawing-room to bid her
+hostess good-night, but she was not allowed to take her departure so
+easily.  Miss Carr protested that she was not wrapped up sufficiently,
+and sent upstairs for a hood and a pair of hideous scarlet worsted
+bedroom slippers, which she insisted upon drawing over the dainty white
+satin shoes.  Hilary protested, but she was not allowed to have a say in
+the matter.
+
+"Nonsense, my dear; it's a bitterly cold night, and you have half an
+hour's drive.  We can't have you catching cold, just to have your feet
+looking pretty in a dark carriage.  Go along now, and `Good-night,' for
+I shall be in bed when you come back.  I'll hear all your adventures in
+the morning," and she waved the girl away in the imperious fashion which
+no one dare resist.
+
+Hilary was annoyed, but she soon forgot the ugly slippers in the
+fascination of a drive through the brightly-lighted streets, and when
+the carriage drew up beneath an awning, and she had a peep at a
+beautiful hall, decorated with palms and flowering plants, and saw the
+crowd flocking up the staircase, her breath came fast with excitement.
+Her father led her into the house and disappeared through a doorway on
+the left, while she herself was shown into a room on the right, wherein
+a throng of fashionable ladies were divesting themselves of their wraps,
+and giving finishing touches to their toilets before the mirrors.  Those
+who were nearest to Hilary turned curious glances at her as she took off
+her shawls, and the girl felt a sudden and painful consciousness of
+insignificant youth.  They were so very grand, these fine ladies.  They
+wore such masses of diamonds, and such marvellous frocks, and mantles,
+and wrappings, that she was over-awed, and hurried out of the room as
+quickly as possible, without daring to step forward to a mirror.  Such a
+crowd of guests were making their way up the staircase, that Hilary and
+her father could only move forward a step at the time, but after they
+had shaken hands with a stout lady and a thin gentleman at the head of
+the stairs, there was a sudden thinning off, for a suite of reception
+rooms opened out of the hall, and the guests floated away in different
+directions.
+
+Mr Bertrand led the way into the nearer of the rooms, and no sooner had
+he appeared in the doorway, than there came a simultaneous exclamation
+of delight from a group of gentlemen who stood in the centre of the
+floor, and he was seized by the arm, patted on the shoulder, and
+surrounded by a bevy of admiring friends.  Poor Hilary stood in the
+background, abashed and deserted.  Her father had forgotten all about
+her existence.  The group of friends were gradually drawing him further
+and further away.  Not a soul did she know among all the brilliant
+throng.  Several fashionably dressed ladies put up their eye-glasses to
+stare at her as she stood, a solitary figure at the end of the room,
+then turned to whisper to each other, while the youngest and liveliest
+of the party put her fan up to her face and tittered audibly.  They were
+laughing at her, the rude, unkind, unfeeling creatures.
+
+"What could there be to laugh at?" asked Hilary of herself.  Her dress
+had been made by a fashionable modiste; Miss Carr's own maid had
+arranged her hair.  "I may not be pretty, but there's nothing ludicrous
+about me that I know of," said the poor child to herself, with catching
+breath.  In spite of her seventeen years, her new dress, and all her
+ecstatic anticipations, a more lonely, uncomfortable, and tearfully-
+inclined young woman it would be difficult to find.  She looked round in
+despair, espied a seat in a retired corner, and was making for it as
+quickly as might be, when she came face to face with a mirror, and in it
+saw a reflection which made the colour rush to her cheeks in a hot,
+crimson tide.  A girlish figure, with a dark head set gracefully upon a
+slender neck, a dainty dress, all cloudy chiffon, satiny ribbons, and
+nodding snowdrops, and beneath--oh, good gracious!--beneath the soft
+frilled edgings, a pair of enormous, shapeless, scarlet worsted bed
+slippers!  It would be difficult to say which was the more scarlet at
+that moment--the slippers themselves or Hilary's cheeks.  She shuffled
+forward and stood in the corner, paralysed with horror.  There had been
+such a crowd in the cloak-room, and she had been so anxious to get away,
+that she had forgotten all about the wretched slippers.  So that was why
+the ladies were laughing!  Oh, to think how she must have looked--
+standing by herself in the doorway, with those awful, awful scarlet feet
+shown up against the white skirts!
+
+"Sit down and slip them off, and hide them in the corner.  No one will
+see you!" said a sympathetic voice in her ear, and Hilary turned sharply
+to find that one end of the seat was already occupied by a gentleman,
+who was regarding her with a very kindly smile of understanding.  His
+face was thin, and there were signs of suffering in the strained
+expression of the eyes, so that Hilary, looking at him, found it
+impossible to take his advice otherwise than in a friendly spirit.
+
+"Th-ank you," she stammered, and pulling off the offending slippers, hid
+them swiftly behind the folds of the curtains, and seated herself on the
+sofa by his side.
+
+"That's better!" cried the stranger, looking down with approving eyes at
+the little satin shoes which were now revealed.  "Forgot to take them
+off, didn't you?  Very natural.  I did the same with snow-shoes once,
+and was in the room for half an hour before I discovered that I still
+had them on."
+
+"But snow-shoes are black.  They wouldn't look half so bad.  I saw those
+ladies laughing at me.  What _must_ they have thought?"
+
+"Do you think it matters very much what they thought?"  The stranger
+turned his face towards Hilary, and smiled again in his slow, gentle
+manner.  "Why trouble yourself about the opinion of people whom you
+don't know, and whom you will probably never see again?  I suppose it is
+a matter of perfect indifference to them, but what _I_ think about them
+is, that they were exceedingly ill-bred to behave as they did, and I
+should attach no value whatever to their opinions.  Have you--er--lost
+sight of your friends?"
+
+"No, they have lost sight of me."  The stranger was at once so kind, and
+so sensible, that Hilary began to feel a delightful sense of restored
+equanimity, and even gave a little laugh of amusement as she spoke.  "I
+came with my father, and he has gone off with some friends and forgotten
+all about my existence.  He is over there at the end of the room; the
+tall man with the brown moustache--Mr Austin Bertrand."
+
+The stranger gave a little jump in his seat, and the colour tinged his
+cheek.  "Bertrand!" he exclaimed.  "You are Bertrand's daughter!"  He
+stared at Hilary with newly-awakened interest, while she smiled, well
+pleased by the sensation which the name caused.
+
+"Yes; Austin Bertrand, the novelist.  You know him, then?  You are one
+of his friends?"
+
+"Hardly that, I am afraid.  I know him slightly, and he has been most
+kind to me when we have met, but I cannot claim him as a friend.  I am
+one of his most ardent admirers."
+
+"And do you write yourself?" queried Hilary, looking scrutinisingly at
+the sensitive, intellectual face, and anticipating the answer before it
+came.
+
+"A little.  Yes!  It is my great consolation.  My name is Herbert
+Rayner, Miss Bertrand.  I may as well introduce myself as there is no
+one to do it for me.  I suppose you have come up to town on a visit with
+your father.  You have lived in the Lake district for the last few
+years, have you not?  I envy you having such a lovely home."
+
+Hilary elevated her eyebrows in doubtful fashion.  "In summer it is
+perfectly delightful, but I don't like country places in winter.  We are
+two miles from a village, and three miles from the nearest station, so
+you can imagine how quiet it is, when it gets dark soon after four
+o'clock, and the lanes are thick with snow.  I was glad to come back to
+London for a change.  This is the first grown-up party I have been to in
+my life."
+
+Mr Rayner smiled a little, repeating her words and lingering with
+enjoyment on the childish expression.  "The first _party_!  Is it
+indeed?  I only wish it were mine.  I don't mean to pretend that I am
+bored by visiting, as is the fashionable position nowadays.  I am too
+fond of seeing and studying my fellow-creatures for that ever to be
+possible, but a first experience of any kind has an interest which
+cannot be repeated.  I am like you, I don't like winter.  I feel half
+alive in cold weather, and would like to go to bed and stay there until
+it was warm again.  There is no country in the world more charming than
+England for seven months of the year, and none so abominable for the
+remaining five.  If it were not for my work I would always winter
+abroad, but I am obliged to be in the hum of things.  How do you manage
+to amuse yourself in the Lakes?"
+
+"We don't manage at all," said Hilary frankly.  "At least, I mean we are
+very happy, of course, because there are so many of us, and we are
+always having fun and jokes among ourselves; but we have nothing in the
+way of regular entertainments, and it gets awfully dull.  My sisters and
+I had a big grumbling festival on New Year's Day, and told all our woes
+to father.  He was very kind, and said he would see what could be done,
+and that's why I came up to London--to give me a little change."
+
+"I see!"  Mr Rayner looked into the girl's face with a scrutinising
+look.  "So you are dull and dissatisfied with your surroundings.  That's
+a pity!  You ought to be so happy, with such a father, brothers, and
+sisters around you, and youth, and health!  It seems to me that you are
+very well off."
+
+Hilary put up her chin with an air of offended dignity.  For one moment
+she felt thoroughly annoyed, but the next, her heart softened, for it
+was impossible to be vexed with this interesting stranger, with his
+pathetic, pain-marked face.  Why had he used that word "consolation" in
+reference to his work?  And why did his voice take that plaintive note
+as he spoke of "youth and health"?  "I shall ask father about him," said
+Hilary to herself; and just at that moment Mr Bertrand came rushing
+across the room with tardy remembrance.
+
+"My dear child, I forgot all about you.  Are you all right?  Have you
+had some coffee?  Have you found anyone to--er--" He turned a
+questioning glance upon the other occupant of the seat, knitted his
+brows for a second, and then held out his hand, with an exclamation of
+recognition.  "Rayner!  How are you?  Glad to see you again.  I was only
+talking of you to Moss the other day.  That last thing of yours gave me
+great pleasure--very fine indeed.  You are striding ahead!  Come and
+lunch with me some day while I am in town.  I should like to have a
+chat.  Have you been making friends with my daughter?  Much obliged to
+you for entertaining her, I have so many old friends here that I don't
+know which way to turn.  Well, what day will you come?  Will Tuesday
+suit?  This is my present address, and my kind hostess allows me to ask
+what guests I will.  There was something I had specially on my mind to
+ask you.  Tuesday, then--half-past one!  Good-bye till then.  Hilary, I
+will look you up later on.  Glad you are so well entertained."  He was
+off again, flying across the room, scattering smiles and greetings as he
+went, while the two occupants of the corner seat exchanged glances of
+amusement.
+
+"That's just like father.  He gets so excited that he flies about all
+over the house, and hardly knows what he is doing."
+
+"He is delightfully fresh and breezy; just like his books.  And now you
+would like some refreshments.  They are in the little room over there.
+I shall be happy to accompany you, if you will accept my somewhat--er--
+inefficient escort."
+
+Hilary murmured some words of thanks, a good deal puzzled to understand
+the meaning of those last two words.  Somewhat to her surprise, her new
+friend had not risen to talk to her father, and even now, as she stood
+up in response to his invitation, he remained in his seat, bending
+forward to grope behind the curtains.  A moment later he drew forth
+something at the sight of which Hilary gave an involuntary exclamation
+of dismay.  It was a pair of crutches; and as Mr Rayner placed one
+under each arm and rose painfully to his feet, a feeling of overpowering
+pity took possession of the girl's heart.  Her eyes grew moist, and a
+cry of sympathy forced themselves from her trembling lips.
+
+"Oh--I--I'm _sorry_!" she gasped, with something that was almost a sob
+of emotion, and Mr Rayner winced at the sound as with sudden pain.
+
+"Thank you," he said shortly.  "You are very kind.  I'm--I'm used to it,
+you know.  This way, please."  And without another word he led the way
+towards the refreshment room, while Hilary followed, abashed and
+sorrowful.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+AN "AT HOME."
+
+Hilary asked her father many questions about the new acquaintance, and
+took great interest in what he had to tell.
+
+"Clever fellow, clever fellow; one of the most promising of the younger
+men.  I expect great things of him.  Yes, lame, poor fellow! a terrible
+pity!  Paralysis of the lower limbs, I hear.  He can never be better,
+though I believe there is no reason why he should get worse.  It's a sad
+handicap to such a young man, and, of course, it gives a melancholy cast
+to his mind.  It was kind of him to entertain you so nicely--very kind
+indeed."
+
+Hilary gave her head a little tilt of displeasure.  Why should it be
+"kind" of Mr Rayner to talk to her?  Father seemed to think she was a
+stupid little girl, on whom no grown-up person would care to waste their
+time; but Mr Rayner had not seemed at all bored by her conversation,
+and when some friends had tried to take him away, he had excused
+himself, and preferred to remain in the quiet corner.
+
+When Tuesday came, and Mr Rayner arrived, Mr Bertrand was busy
+writing, and despatched his daughter to amuse his guest until he should
+have finished his letters.  "Tell him I won't be more than ten minutes;
+and he must excuse me, like a good fellow, for I am obliged to catch
+this post," he said, and Hilary went into the long drawing-room, to find
+her new friend seated on the couch, with his crutches by his side.  He
+was looking better than when she had seen him last, and had a
+mischievous smile on his face.
+
+"Good morning, Miss Two Shoes!" he cried, and Hilary gave a little start
+of consternation.
+
+"Oh, h-ush!  They don't know--I didn't tell them.  Miss Carr would never
+stop talking about it, and father would tease me to death.  I only said
+that I had forgotten to put the slippers on coming home, which was quite
+true.  It was rather awkward, for they belonged to Miss Carr.  She
+insisted on lending them to me at the last moment.  The servants would
+be surprised when they found them behind the curtains the next morning,
+wouldn't they?"
+
+"They would!" said Mr Rayner drily, and there was a peculiar smile upon
+his face which Hilary could not understand.  "So they were not yours,
+after all.  I thought the size seemed rather--excessive!  I promise not
+to betray you if you would rather keep the secret, but if the story gave
+as much pleasure to your father as it has done to me, it seems rather
+selfish to keep it from him.  I have had the heartiest laughs I have
+known for months past, thinking of the tragic incident of the scarlet
+slippers!"
+
+"Please don't!" said Hilary; but she laughed as she spoke, and so far
+from being offended, was quite thankful to hear that she had been the
+means of giving some amusement to the new friend.  "I have been hearing
+all about you from father," she continued, nodding her head at him
+cheerily.  "He has promised to give me one of your books to read when we
+get back to Clearwater.  Will you please write your name in my autograph
+book?  I brought it downstairs on purpose.  There are pens and ink on
+this little table."
+
+Mr Rayner smiled, but made no objections.  He took a very long time
+over the signature, however, and when Hilary took up the book, she saw
+that each leg of the H ended in the shape of a dainty little shoe, so
+finely done that it would probably escape the notice of anyone who was
+not critically inclined.
+
+"Too bad," she cried laughingly; "I am afraid you are going to be as
+persistent as father in keeping up the joke."
+
+"They are the proper slippers, you observe--not the woollen atrocities,"
+replied Mr Rayner; and Hilary was still rejoicing in the discovery that
+he could be mischievous like other people, when the door opened, and her
+father came rushing into the room.
+
+Luncheon was served immediately afterwards, and when it was over, Mr
+Bertrand carried off the young man to have a private talk in the
+library.  They did not make their appearance until the afternoon was
+well advanced, and when they did, the drawing-room was full of people,
+for it was Miss Carr's "At home" day, and the presence of Austin
+Bertrand, the celebrated novelist, brought together even more visitors
+than usual.
+
+Hilary had not found the entertainment at all amusing.  It seemed absurd
+to her innocent mind that people should come to see Miss Carr, and
+exchange no further word with her than "How d'you do," and "Good-bye,"
+and though the hum of conversation filled the room, most of the visitors
+were too old and too grand to take any notice of a girl just out of the
+schoolroom.  A few young girls accompanied their mothers, but though
+they eyed Hilary wistfully, they would not speak without the
+introduction which Miss Carr was too busy to give.  One girl, however,
+stared more persistently than the rest, and Hilary returned her scrutiny
+with puzzled curiosity.  She was a tall, elegant girl, but there was
+something in the wavy line of the eyebrows which seemed strangely
+familiar, and she had a peculiar way of drawing in her lips, which
+brought back a hundred misty recollections.  Where had she seen that
+face before?  Hilary asked herself, staring fixedly at the stranger.
+The stranger began to smile; a flash of recollection passed across each
+face, and the next moment they were clasping hands, and exclaiming in
+mutual recognition--
+
+"Hilary!"
+
+"Madge!"
+
+"The idea of meeting you here!  I haven't seen you since we were tiny
+little dots at school.  I thought you lived ever so far away--up in the
+North of England."
+
+"So we do; but we are here on a visit.  Madge! how grown-up you are!
+You are only six months older than I, but you look ever so much more
+than that.  How are you, and what are you doing, and how are all your
+brothers and sisters?  Lettice will be so interested to know I have seen
+you."
+
+"Dear Lettice, yes!  She was a nice girl.  So affectionate, wasn't she?
+I should like to see her again.  Perhaps I may, for father has taken a
+house at Windermere for next summer, and if you are not far away, we
+could often meet and go excursions together."
+
+"Oh, how lovely!  We are three miles from Windermere station, but we
+have a pony carriage and bicycles, and could drive over to see you.  Do
+sit down, Madge.  I don't know anyone here, and it is so dull sitting by
+myself in a corner."
+
+"I am afraid I can't.  I am with mother, you see, and she doesn't like
+to be left alone.  Perhaps I shall see you again before I go!"  And
+Madge Newcome nodded, and strolled off in a careless, indifferent manner
+which brought the blood to Hilary's face.  Mrs Newcome was talking to a
+group of friends and looked very well satisfied, so much so that Hilary
+suspected that the daughter's anxiety had been more for herself than her
+mother, and that Miss Madge did not appreciate the attractions of
+sitting in a quiet corner.
+
+"It's very unkind, when I told her I knew nobody; but she was a selfish
+girl at school.  She doesn't want to stay with me, that's the truth.  I
+wish this horrid afternoon would come to an end!" she told herself
+dolefully, and it was with unconcealed delight that at last she heard
+the sound of Mr Rayner's crutches, and welcomed that gentleman to a
+seat by her side.  He looked brighter than she had yet seen him, and had
+evidently been enjoying himself upstairs.
+
+"Well," he said cheerily, "here you are in the midst of the merry
+throng!  Have you had a pleasant time?  Not!  Why, how's that?  I
+thought you enjoyed seeing a crowd of people."
+
+"I thought I did, but I find I don't like it so much as I expected,"
+said Hilary dejectedly.  "When people are talking and laughing all
+round, and I am left to keep myself company in a corner, it isn't at all
+amusing.  I suppose there are a great many celebrated people here, but I
+don't know one from the other, so I am no wiser."
+
+"Never mind, I know them all.  We will sit here quietly, and when anyone
+interesting comes along, I will let you know.  Your father has been so
+kind to me, and has encouraged me until I feel as strong as a giant, and
+greedy for work.  He has asked me to come down to the Lakes to visit you
+some time in spring, so I may see you again before long.  Now then! one
+of those ladies over there on the sofa is the Duchess of M---.  Guess
+which of the three she is!"
+
+"Oh, I know; the pretty one, of course, with the blue dress, and the
+bonnet with the cream lace."
+
+"Wrong!  Guess again."
+
+"The dark one with the beaded cape!"
+
+"Wrong again!  It is the grey-haired lady in the corner."
+
+Hilary gasped, and stared aghast at the stout, shabby lady, who looked
+everything that was motherly and pleasant, but as different as possible
+from her ideas of what a duchess ought to be.  Then Mr Rayner went on
+to point out a poet, a painter of celebrated pictures, and half-a-dozen
+men and women whose names the girl had known from her youth, but who all
+seemed terribly disappointing in reality.  She expressed her opinions in
+a candid manner, which seemed vastly to amuse her hearer, and they were
+so merry together that Hilary saw many envious glances directed towards
+their corner, and realised that other people were envying her in their
+turn.  Madge Newcome came up to say good-bye, before leaving, and
+elevated her eyebrows in a meaning manner towards Mr Rayner.
+
+"You seem to be having a pleasant time.  I think Mr Rayner has such an
+interesting face, but people say he is so stiff and reserved that it is
+impossible to know him."
+
+"He is not reserved to me!" said Hilary consequentially.  She had not
+forgiven Madge Newcome for her desertion an hour earlier, and shook
+hands with an air of dignified reserve.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+A PAINFUL AWAKENING.
+
+A fortnight in London passes quickly enough; but the time seems much
+longer to the friends who are left at home, and who have no variety in
+the quiet course of their lives.  Half-a-dozen times a day Lettice and
+Norah said to each other, "What will Hilary be doing now?"  And when a
+letter came, telling the plans of the next few days, they followed her
+movements hour by hour, telling each other, "Now she will be driving
+into town!"  "Now she will be looking at the pictures!"  "Now she will
+be dressing for the evening!"  When the day of the traveller's return
+arrived, there was quite a bustle of excitement in the home.  Lettice
+ordered Hilary's favourite puddings for dinner, Norah gave the drawing-
+room a second dusting in the afternoon, while Miss Briggs put on her cap
+with the pink ribbons, and dressed Geraldine in her best frock.  They
+were all in the hall, ready to receive the travellers, as the fly from
+the station drove up to the door, and while Mr Bertrand stayed without
+to pay the driver, Hilary lost no time in hurrying indoors.  Within the
+first two minutes the sisters noticed a change in her manner.  Her voice
+seemed to have a new tone; when Miss Briggs held out a welcoming hand,
+she extended her own at an elevation which made the good lady stare, and
+even while kissing the girls, her eyes were roving round the hall with
+an expression of dissatisfaction.
+
+"Why have you not lighted all the lamps?" she inquired, and when Lettice
+replied in amazement that there were as many lamps as usual, she
+shrugged her shoulders, and muttered something about "inky darkness."
+If Mr Bertrand had not appeared at that moment it would be difficult to
+say what would have happened, but he came rushing in like a breeze of
+fresh, wintry air, seizing each of the girls in turn, and folding them
+in a bear-like hug.
+
+"Well--well--well--here we are again!  Glad to be back in the old home.
+How are you, dear?  How are you, pet?  Miss Briggs, I see you are
+flourishing!  How have all these young people been behaving while I was
+away?  What about dinner?  I'm so hungry that I shall eat the Mouse in
+desperation if I am kept waiting.  Well, little Mouse, glad to see your
+father back again, eh?  Come upstairs with me while I change my coat for
+dinner."
+
+It was like another house when the cheery, bustling master was at home,
+and Lettice and Norah forgot their passing annoyance in rejoicing over
+his return.  During the evening, however, Hilary managed to give offence
+more than once.  She kept frowning to herself as she sat at the head of
+the table, and looking up and down with a discontented air which was
+very exasperating to those who had done their utmost to study her tastes
+and to give her a pleasant home-coming.  When dinner was over and the
+family party adjourned into the drawing-room, she kept jumping up from
+her seat to alter the arrangement of plants and ornaments, or to put
+some article in its proper place.  Norah elevated her eyebrows at
+Lettice, who nodded in sympathetic understanding, but both girls
+controlled their irritation out of consideration for their father, whose
+pleasure in the first evening at home would have been spoiled if his
+daughters had taken to quarrelling among themselves.
+
+Mr Bertrand had brought home a perfect treasure-trove of presents for
+the stay-at-homes.  A beautiful little brooch and bangle for Lettice;
+music, books, and a paint-box for Norah: furs for Miss Briggs; and a
+small toy-shop for the dear little "youngest of seven."
+
+Such an excitement as there was in the drawing-room while the
+presentations were going on! such shrieks of delight! such exclamations
+of "Just what I wanted!" such huggings and kissings of gratitude!  Mr
+Bertrand declared at last that he would be pulled to pieces, and ran
+upstairs to the shelter of his beloved study.  After he had gone, Hilary
+seemed for the time being to forget her grievances, whatever they might
+be, and drawing her chair to the fire, settled down to one of the good
+old-fashioned gossips which her sisters loved Lettice and Norah had a
+dozen extra questions which they were burning to ask about every
+incident of the visit to London; and they were not more eager to hear
+than Hilary was to tell, for what is the good of going away and having
+adventures if we cannot talk about them when we come home?
+
+The meeting with Madge Newcome was a subject of much interest.  "Quite
+grown-up, you say, and very grand and fashionable!  And you went to
+lunch with her one day.  Are the boys at home?  What are they like?
+There was Cyril, the little one in the Eton jacket, who used to play
+with Raymond; and Phil, the middy; and the big one who was at college--
+Arthur, wasn't he?  What is he like now?"
+
+"I saw him only once, but it was quite enough.  He is in business with
+his father--a terribly solemn, proper person, who talks about books, and
+says, `Were you not?'--`Would you not?'  Miss Carr says he is very
+clever, and good, and intellectual, but all the same, I am sure she
+doesn't like him.  I heard her describe him to father as `that wooden
+young man.'  It will be nice to see Madge in the summer, though I
+haven't forgiven her for leaving me alone that afternoon.  Oh, and I
+must tell you--" And the conversation branched off in another direction,
+while the girls crouched over the fire, laughing and talking in happy
+reunion.
+
+Alas! the next day the clouds gathered over the family horizon and
+culminated in such a storm as was happily of rare occurrence.  The
+moment that she left her bedroom Hilary began to grumble, and she
+grumbled steadily the whole day long.  Everything that Lettice had done
+during her absence was wrong; the servants were careless and
+inefficient; the drawing-room--Norah's special charge--looked as if no
+one had touched it for a fortnight; the house was dingy and badly
+lighted, and each arrangement worse than the last.  Lettice hated
+quarrelling so much that she was prepared to bear a good deal before
+getting angry, but quick-tempered Norah exploded into a burst of
+irritation before the afternoon was half over.
+
+"The fact is you have been staying for a fortnight in a grand London
+house, and you are spoiled for your own home.  I think it is mean to
+come back, after having such a lovely time, and make everyone miserable
+with your grumbling and fault-findings!  Lettice did everything she
+could while you were away, and the house is the same as when you left
+it."
+
+"Perhaps it is, but I didn't know any better then.  I know now how
+things ought to be done, and I can't be satisfied when they are wrong."
+
+"And do you expect things to be managed as well in this house with five
+of us at home, besides father and Miss Briggs, and three servants to do
+all the work, as it is at Miss Carr's, with no one but herself, and six
+or seven people to wait upon her?"  Lettice spoke quietly, but with a
+flush on her cheeks which proved that she felt more than she showed.
+"It's very foolish if you do, for you will only succeed in upsetting
+everyone, and making the whole house miserable and uncomfortable."
+
+"As you have done to-day!" added Norah bluntly.  "I would rather have an
+old-fashioned house than the finest palace in the world with a cross,
+bad-tempered mistress going about grumbling from morning till night."
+
+"Norah, you are very rude to speak to me like that!  You have no right.
+I am the eldest."
+
+"You had no right to say to me that I haven't touched the drawing-room
+for a fortnight."
+
+"I have a right to complain if the work of the house is not properly
+done.  Father has given me the charge.  If I see things that can be
+improved, I am certainly not going to be quiet.  Suppose Mr Rayner or
+the Newcomes came here to see us, what would they think if they came
+into a half-lit hall as we did last night?"
+
+"Yes, I knew that was it.  It's your grand London friends you are
+thinking of.  If they are too grand to come here, let them stay away.
+Father is a greater man than any of them, if he is not rich."
+
+"Girls, girls, girls! what is all this?"  Miss Briggs pulled aside the
+curtain over the doorway, and came hurriedly into the room.  "I heard
+your voices across the hall.  Are you quarrelling the first day Hilary
+is at home?  Don't let your father hear, I beg you; he would be terribly
+grieved.  What is the matter?"
+
+"It's Hilary's fault.  She has done nothing but grumble all day long,
+and I can't stand it.  She has made Lettice miserable; the servants are
+as cross as they can be, and there's no peace in the house."
+
+"Norah has been very rude to me, Miss Briggs.  I am obliged to find
+fault when things are wrong, and I can't help it if the servants are
+cross."
+
+Miss Briggs looked at the younger girls.  "Go upstairs, dears, and
+change your dresses for dinner.  I want to speak to Hilary by herself,"
+she said quietly, and Lettice and Norah left the room with awed faces.
+The kind old governess did not often interfere with the girls now that
+they were growing up, but when she did, there was a directness about her
+speech which was very telling, and this afternoon was no exception to
+the rule.
+
+"Hilary," she said slowly, when the door had closed behind the two
+younger girls, "I have been with you now for ten years, and have watched
+you grow up from a little girl.  You were my first pupil, and I can't
+help taking a special interest in you.  You were a dear little child.  I
+thought you would grow up into a sweet, lovable woman; but you will have
+to change a great deal, Hilary, if you are to do that!  You will think
+me cruel; but your mother is dead, and I must be truthful with you for
+your own good.  I think you have behaved very unkindly to your sisters
+to-day.  You have been away enjoying yourself while they were left at
+home; they did their best to fill your place, and counted the days until
+your return, and you have made them miserable from the moment of your
+arrival.  The house is as you left it; but even supposing you had
+noticed a few things which were not to your taste, you could have put
+them right quietly, or spoken of them in a pleasant, kindly manner.
+Things have gone on smoothly and quietly while you were away--more
+smoothly than when you are at home, my dear, for though Lettice is not
+such a good manager, she has a sweet, amiable manner which makes the
+servants anxious to please her by doing their best.  You are very young,
+Hilary, and you make the mistake of over-estimating your own importance,
+and of thinking you are necessary to the welfare of the household.  You
+can easily make yourself so, if you wish, for you are a very clever
+housekeeper; but if you continue to be as self-satisfied and as
+regardless of the feelings of others as you are at present, I tell you
+plainly that you will end in being a hindrance rather than a help.  I am
+not saying that the other girls are faultless, but instead of setting
+them a good example, in nine cases out of ten you are the one to begin a
+quarrel.  You think me very cruel to speak like this--it's not easy to
+do, Hilary--but you may thank me for it some day.  Open your eyes, my
+dear, and try to see yourself as you really are, before it is too late!"
+
+Miss Briggs swept from the room in a flutter of agitation, and Hilary
+sank into the nearest chair, and gazed blankly at the fire.  Her heart
+was beating in heavy thuds, and she put her hand to her head in
+stupefied fashion.  For several minutes she sat motionless, unable to
+form any definite thought.  She only felt a curious shattered sensation,
+as though she had come through some devastating experience, which had
+laid waste all her fondest delusions.  _What_ had Miss Briggs said?
+That the household arrangements had been managed _better_ in her absence
+than when she was at home.  That if she did not alter, she would end in
+being a hindrance rather than a help.  That she set a bad example to the
+younger girls and was the instigator of quarrels!--Hilary's cheeks burnt
+with a flush that was almost painful.  Her pride was wounded in its most
+sensitive point.  She would have been ready enough to acknowledge that
+she was not so sweet-tempered as Lettice, or so clever as Norah, but she
+had been secure in her conviction that no one could touch her in her own
+department--that she was a person of supreme importance, without whom
+the whole fabric of the household would fall to pieces.  And things had
+gone on _better_ while she was away!  _Better_!  Hilary writhed in
+humiliation, and the flush burnt more fiercely than before.  If she
+could only manage to disbelieve it all, and wave it aside as a piece of
+foolish prejudice; but she could not do this, for her eyes were opened,
+and she saw the meaning of many things which she had misread before.
+Miss Carr's quizzical, disapproving glance; her father's anxious gaze;
+the little scornful sniff on the face of the old cook as she took her
+morning's orders.  Could it be that they all felt the same, and were
+condemning her in their hearts as a stupid, consequential little girl,
+who had no importance whatever except in her own estimation?  And--"_a
+hindrance_!"  The word brought with it a throb of something deeper than
+wounded pride, for, with all her faults, Hilary was devoted to her
+father and her brothers and sisters, and the thought stung like a whip
+that they might not care for her--that the time could come when they
+might even wish for her absence!
+
+The light was growing dim in the deserted room, and, as Hilary laid her
+head back in the old-fashioned chair, the tears which rose to her eyes
+and trickled down her cheeks were the bitterest she had known in the
+course of her short life.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINE.
+
+THE VIOLIN LESSON.
+
+Three days after Mr Bertrand's return, Rex Freer arrived at the house
+in a state of triumphant excitement.  This was by no means his first
+appearance since he had left Cloudsdale, for he never passed the house
+on any of his numerous expeditions without running in for ten minutes'
+chat, so that the girls were getting accustomed to see his head appear
+at the window as they sat at work, or to hear the loud rat-tat on the
+door which heralded his coming.  They soon had practical demonstration
+of his "managing powers," for more than once, after definitely making up
+their minds that nothing would induce them to stir from the house, they
+found themselves meekly putting on hats and jackets to join a
+tobogganing party, and to accompany the young gentleman part of his way
+home.  Lettice was always easily influenced, but high-spirited Norah
+made many protests against what she was pleased to call his "Indian
+ways," and on one occasion even went so far as to dare a direct refusal.
+Lettice had left the room to get ready for a walk along the snowy
+lanes, but Miss Norah sat obstinately in her chair, the heel of one
+slipper perched on the toe of the other, in an attitude which was a
+triumph of defiance.
+
+"Well!" said Mr Rex, putting his hands in his pockets, and standing
+with his back to the fire in elderly gentleman fashion.  "Why don't you
+get on your coat?  I can't wait many minutes, you know, or it will get
+dark.  Hurry up!"
+
+"I'm not going.  It's too cold.  I don't like trudging over the snow.  I
+am going to stay at home."
+
+Norah raised her thin, little face to his with an audacious glance,
+whereat "the strange boy's" eyes dilated with the steely flash which she
+knew so well.
+
+"Then please go upstairs and tell Lettice not to trouble to get ready.
+I can't allow her to come home alone, along the lonely roads," he said
+quietly; and Norah slunk out of the room and put on her snow-shoes in
+crestfallen silence, for it did Lettice good to have a daily walk, and
+she could not be so selfish as to keep her at home.
+
+This afternoon, however, the call was longer than usual, for Rex came as
+the bearer of good news.  "You have only to make up your mind to do
+anything, and the rest is quite easy," he announced coolly.  "The mater
+has made a point of speaking to everyone she has seen about the music
+lessons, and she has heard of a capital man in Lancaster who is willing
+to come down for an afternoon once a fortnight.  I met your father in
+the village, and he agrees to the terms, so now there is nothing left
+but to write and fill in the day to begin.  Thursday suits him best.  Do
+you say Thursday first or Thursday fortnight?"
+
+"Oh, the first Thursday.  I don't want to wait a day longer than I can
+help.  Oh, how lovely!  So it is really settled.  I wanted it so badly
+that I was afraid it would never come true.  How am I to get over to
+your house, I wonder?"
+
+"I'll drive over and bring you back next morning.  We might use our
+bicycles, but the violin case would be rather a nuisance, and I suppose
+you'll need a bag of some description.  I'll be here at eleven, and then
+we shall get home to lunch.  Edna is in a great state of excitement at
+the thought of seeing you."
+
+Norah pulled a funny little face of embarrassment.  "I'm rather shy, you
+know," she said, laughing.  "I've only seen your mother once, and the
+other two are absolute strangers; it seems funny to be coming over to
+stay.  Is your father a formidable sort of old gentleman?"
+
+"Humph--well--I think he is rather!  He is awfully fond of getting his
+own way," said Rex, in a tone which implied that he failed to understand
+how anyone could be guilty of such a weakness.  "But he is an awfully
+decent sort if you take him the right way; and poor little Edna would
+not frighten a mouse.  You will feel at home with her in five minutes.
+I only wish she knew Lettice.  We must arrange for her to come over some
+time."
+
+Norah looked at him with a feeling of curiosity which was not altogether
+agreeable.  "Why do you wish that she knew Lettice!  Do you think she
+would like her better than me?"
+
+"Oh, yes," said Rex easily.  (He was just like other boys, Norah told
+herself, and had not the slightest regard for a poor girl's feelings!)
+"She is such a jolly, affectionate little thing, you know, that Edna
+would take to her at once.  And she has heard so much of `Lovely
+Lettice'!  I say, _isn't_ she pretty?"
+
+"Yes, she is--lovely!  It's a very good name for her."  Norah spoke with
+all the greater emphasis because, for the moment, she had been guilty of
+an actual pang of envy of her beloved Lettice, for she regarded the
+"strange boy" as her special friend, by virtue of having been the first
+to make his acquaintance, and it was not agreeable to find her own
+claims to popularity brushed aside in this unceremonious fashion.
+"Lettice is a darling, and everyone likes her, because she is sweet-
+tempered, and never says unkind things to make other people miserable,"
+she added, not without the hope that Mr Rex would take the hint to
+himself.  He did nothing of the sort, however, but only yawned, thought
+he must be going, and marched away with stoical unconsciousness of the
+aching little heart which he had left behind.
+
+On Thursday morning Rex duly drove up to the door in his father's dog-
+cart.  He was a little before his time, but Norah was waiting for him,
+wrapped up in her warm scarlet coat; her violin case and bag ready on
+the hall table.  Before he came she had been lamenting loudly, because
+she felt a conviction that something would happen to prevent his
+arrival; but when it came to setting off, she was seized with an attack
+of shyness, and hung back in hesitating fashion.  "Oh, oh!  I don't like
+it a bit.  I feel horrid.  Don't you think father would drive over, and
+bring me home to-night?"
+
+"H-ush!  No!  Don't be foolish, Norie!  You will enjoy it ever so much
+when you get there.  Remember everything to tell me to-morrow,"
+whispered Lettice encouragingly, and Norah climbed up into the high seat
+and waved her hand to her two sisters until a turn of the drive hid them
+from sight.
+
+"If you want to cry, don't mind me!" said Rex coolly, which remark
+served better than anything else could possibly have done to rouse Miss
+Norah to her usual composure.  The saucy little nose was tilted into the
+air at once, and the red lips curled in scornful fashion.
+
+"I wonder how it is that schoolboys are always so rude and unpleasant?"
+
+Mr Rex laughed, and gave the horse a flick with the whip, which sent
+him spinning round the corner at break-neck speed.  Norah understood
+that he was proud of his driving, and wished to impress her with the
+fact that it was very unlike a schoolboy performance.  She pressed her
+lips together to stifle an exclamation of dismay at his recklessness,
+and her silence pleased Rex, who liked to see "a girl with some
+courage," so that presently he began to talk in quite a confidential
+strain.  "The professor will be at the house about half-past two, so you
+won't have too much time to spare.  He is a tall, lanky fellow, six feet
+two, with a straggling black beard, goggle eyes, and spectacles.  He
+looks awfully bad-tempered, but I suppose he can't do more than rap your
+knuckles with a pencil, and they all go as far as that."
+
+"No one ever rapped my knuckles," said Norah loftily.  "You told Hilary
+a few minutes ago that none of you had seen him, and that your mother
+had engaged him entirely on her friends' recommendation.  So you can't
+know what he is like, or anything about him!"
+
+"How do you know that the friends did not describe him?" cried Rex
+quickly.  "You can't know what they said.  I tell you he is a tall,
+cadaverous fellow, with a stoop in his back and a white beard."
+
+"Black! black!  You said black last time," cried Norah in triumph.  "You
+are making it up, and I could imagine what he is like as well as you, if
+I liked, but I won't, because it is so horribly uncomfortable when you
+really meet.  I tried that trick with Lettice once, when a friend of
+Miss Briggs came to visit us.  She was a very nice old lady, and awfully
+kind (she made me a sweet little pin-cushion for my room), but she _was_
+ugly!  She looked just like a fat, good-natured frog, with light eyes
+very far apart, big, big freckles spotted over her face, and such a
+great, wide mouth.  Well, I saw her first, and then I went upstairs, and
+Lettice met me and asked me what she was like.  I felt mischievous, so I
+said that she was dark, and tall, and stately, with a long, thin face,
+and beautiful, melancholy eyes.  Lettice went rushing downstairs, and
+when she saw her she stopped quite short, and began to choke and gurgle
+as if she were going to have a fit.  She pretended that she was laughing
+at something Raymond was doing in the garden; but it was horribly
+awkward, and I vowed I'd never do it again.  I should hate people to
+laugh at me, and it's unkind to do things that you wouldn't like other
+people to do to you--I mean--you know what I mean!"
+
+"I know," said Rex gravely.  He looked quite serious and impressed, and
+Norah cast inquiring glances at his face, wondering what he could be
+thinking of, to make him so solemn all of a sudden.
+
+At last, "Look here," he said, "talking of meeting strangers, don't
+stare at poor little Edna when you meet!  There is--er--something--about
+her eyes, and she is very sensitive about it.  Try and look as if you
+don't notice it, you know."
+
+"Oh, I will!" cried Norah gushingly.  She knitted her brows together,
+trying to think what the "something" could be.  Something wrong with her
+lungs, and something wrong with her eyes--poor Edna! she was indeed to
+be pitied!  "I am glad he told me, for I wouldn't hurt her feelings for
+the world," she said to herself; and many times over, during the course
+of the next hour, did her thoughts wander sympathetically towards her
+new companion.
+
+It was a long, cold drive, but Norah could have found it in her heart to
+wish it were longer, as the dog-cart turned in at the gate of the Manor
+House and drew up before the grey stone porch.  Mrs Freer came into the
+hall to welcome her guest, with a grey woollen shawl wrapped round her
+shoulders, and her little face pinched with cold.
+
+"How do you do, dear?  I'm afraid you are quite starved.  Come away to
+the fire and get thawed before you go upstairs," she said cordially; and
+Norah followed, conscious that a girl's head had peeped out of the door
+to examine her, and then been cautiously withdrawn.  When they entered
+the room, however, Miss Edna was seated demurely behind a screen, and
+came forward in the most proper way to shake hands with the new-comer.
+Norah was only conscious that she was tall, with narrow shoulders, and
+brown hair hanging in a long plait down her back, for the fear of
+seeming to stare at the "something" in her eyes about which she was so
+sensitive, kept her from giving more than the most casual of glances.
+Conversation languished under these circumstances, and presently Mrs
+Freer took Norah upstairs to her room to get ready for lunch.  Before
+that meal was served, however, there was another painful ten minutes to
+go through downstairs, when the mistress of the house was out of the
+room and Rex came in to take her place.  Edna was reported to be shy,
+but in this instance it was Norah who was tongue-tied, and the other who
+made the advances.  It is so extremely difficult to speak to a person at
+whom one is forbidden to look.  Norah fixed her eyes on Edna's brooch,
+and said, "Yes, oh yes, she was fond of skating."  Questioned a little
+further, she gave a rapid glance so far upward as to include a mouth and
+chin, and was so much abashed by her own temerity that she contradicted
+herself hopelessly, and stammered out a ridiculous statement to the
+effect that she never used a bicycle, that is to say always--when it was
+fine.  Edna sat silent, dismayed at the reality of the sprightly girl of
+whom she had heard so much, and it did not add to Norah's comfort to
+hear unmistakable sounds of chuckling from the background.  She darted
+an angry glance at Rex, scented mischief in his twitching smile, and
+turned at bay to stare fixedly into Edna's face.  A broad forehead, thin
+cheeks, a delicate pink and white complexion, dark grey eyes, wide open
+with curiosity, but as free from any disfigurement about which their
+owner could be "sensitive" as those of the visitor herself.
+
+"Oh--oh!" gasped Norah.  Rex burst into a roar of laughter, and Edna
+pleaded eagerly to be told of the reason of their excitement.
+
+"He told me I was not to look at you.  He told me--there was something--
+wrong--with your eyes; that you didn't like people to stare at you.  I--
+I was afraid to move," panted Norah in indignation.
+
+"Something wrong with my eyes!  But there isn't, is there?  They are all
+right?" cried Edna in alarm, opening the maligned eyes to about twice
+their usual size, and staring at Norah in beseeching fashion.  "How
+_could_ he say anything so untrue!"
+
+"I never said there was anything `wrong.'  I was very particular how I
+put it.  I said there was `something' about your eyes, and that you were
+sensitive about meeting strangers, and did not like to be stared at.
+All quite true, isn't it?  It's not my fault if Norah chose to think you
+squinted," declared Rex, jetting the best of the argument as usual, and
+nodding his head at Norah with the air of triumph which she found so
+exasperating.
+
+Edna looked from one to the other in startled fashion, as though she
+were afraid that such flashing looks must be the commencement of a
+quarrel, and drew a sigh of relief when Norah's dignity gave way to
+giggles of uncontrollable amusement.
+
+The Squire made his appearance at the luncheon table, an irascible-
+looking old gentleman, with red, weather-beaten face, grey hair, and
+fierce white whiskers sticking out on either side.  The ribbons on his
+wife's cap trembled every time he spoke to her, and she said, "Yes,
+love, yes!" and "No, love, no!" to everything he said, as if afraid to
+differ from him on any subject.  Norah jumped on her seat the first time
+he spoke to her, for his voice sounded so loud and angry.  He said, "I
+am afraid you have had a cold drive," in much the same tone as that in
+which the villain on the stage would cry--"Base villain, die a thousand
+deaths!" and when he called for mustard, the very rafters seemed to
+ring.  "What on earth must he be like when he is really angry, if he is
+like this when he is pleased?" asked Norah of herself; but there was
+something in the Squire's keen, blue eyes which took her fancy, despite
+his fierceness, and she noticed that when he spoke to his little
+daughter his face softened, while each time that she coughed, he knitted
+his brows and stared at her with undisguised anxiety.  Edna was
+evidently his darling, and her delicate health the cause of much
+anxiety.
+
+At two o'clock the two girls ensconced themselves behind the window
+curtains and exchanged confidences while watching for the first
+appearance of the Professor from Lancaster.  Edna told Norah about the
+school which she left; how grieved she had been to say good-bye to her
+friends, and how sadly she missed their bright society, and Norah
+comforted her in warm-hearted fashion.  "Never mind, I am coming every
+fortnight, and when the bright days are here you will be able to drive
+over and see us.  I hope you will like me, for I think I shall like you
+very much indeed, in spite of your eyes."  Then they pinched each other,
+and crouched together with "Oh's!" and "Ah's!" of excitement, as a
+small, wiry figure came hurrying towards the house.  It was Mr Morris,
+of course, but the collar of his coat was turned up and his hat pulled
+over his face, so that it was impossible to tell what he was really
+like.  Only one thing was certain--he had neither a white nor a black
+beard, as Mr Rex had predicted.
+
+"Let me have the first lesson!  He won't think I am so bad if he hears
+me first," pleaded Edna; and at the end of an hour she came out of the
+drawing-room, to announce that Mr Morris was rather terrible, but that
+she was sure he was a good teacher, and that she had not been so
+frightened as she expected.  Then it was Norah's turn.  She played her
+favourite pieces, one after the other, while Mr Morris sat at the edge
+of the table, watching and listening.  Never a word of praise or blame
+did he say until she had finished the third selection.  Then he looked
+at her fixedly with his light, grey eyes (they _were_ rather goggled,
+after all!), and said quietly, "Well, and what do you mean to do?"
+
+"Mean to do?  I--I don't think I understand."
+
+"Are you content to be a young lady amateur who plays well enough to
+entertain her friends in her own drawing-room, or do you mean to work
+seriously, and make a first-rate performer?  You can do as you like.
+You have the talent.  It is for yourself to decide."
+
+Norah's face was a study in its raptured excitement.  "Oh-oh!" she cried
+breathlessly, "I'll work--I don't care _how_ hard I work!  I love it so
+much.  I want to do my very, very best."
+
+"Then I'll work too, and do all I can to help you!" said Mr Morris in
+return.  He jumped off the table as he spoke, and advanced towards her,
+rubbing his hands as one who prepares for a pleasant task.  "Now then!"
+he cried; and for the next hour Norah was kept hard at work, with never
+another word of praise, but with many sharp corrections and reminders to
+call attention to hitherto unsuspected faults.  She was radiantly happy,
+nevertheless, for the first step towards correcting a fault was to
+discover its existence, and what was the good of a teacher who did not
+point out what was wrong?  At four o'clock Mr Morris took his
+departure, and Norah found that Edna had retired to her room to rest, as
+was her custom every afternoon.  Mrs Freer was also invisible, but Rex
+came to join her in the drawing-room, looking particularly cheerful and
+self-satisfied.
+
+"Well, has the old fellow departed?  How are the knuckles?  Is he any
+good?  He looks a miserable little shrimp."
+
+"He's a delightful teacher!  I like him immensely!  He told me I could
+be a splendid player if I would only work hard enough."
+
+"Oh, well, I could have told you as much as that myself."  It was clear
+that Rex thought it the polite thing to inquire about the success of the
+music lesson, but also that his attention was fixed on some other
+subject.  "Look here!" he said suddenly, "the mater and Edna always rest
+for an hour or two in the afternoon, and I promised to look after you
+until they come down.  Would you like a real, genuine--bloodcurdling
+adventure?"
+
+Norah gave a shriek of delight.  "Rather, just!  I should think I would.
+What is it?"
+
+"You can pin up your dress, and put on a big old coat?"
+
+"Yes--yes!"
+
+"And you won't mind if you do get grimy?"
+
+"Not a bit I'm used to--I mean, I can soon wash myself clean again."
+
+"Come along then!  Follow me, and tread lightly.  I don't want anyone to
+see where we are going."  And Rex led the way down the cellar stairs,
+while Norah followed, afire with curiosity.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TEN.
+
+A DANGEROUS ADVENTURE.
+
+The Manor house dated back for nearly two hundred years, and the
+underground premises were of an extent unknown in modern houses.  Rex
+led the way through various flagged divisions, and leaving behind
+washing, wine, and coal cellars, came at last to a large door, locked
+and bolted.  Here he stopped, and drawing a bunch of keys from his
+pocket, fitted one into the lock, and pushed and dragged at the door
+until it opened before him.  "Now then," he said, turning to Norah, "we
+will prepare for business!  I've got a lantern here and two old coats;
+button yourself up in this, and you will come to no harm.  I found these
+old keys in a drawer to-day, and it struck me that one of them might fit
+this door, so I came down to experiment before coming back for you.
+There is a tradition that there is a subterranean passage leading from
+this house to the lake, and I believe I have discovered the entrance.
+I'll show you what I mean.  Be careful how you tread, for the floor is
+strewed with rubbish."
+
+He took Norah by the arm as he spoke, and led her forward for two or
+three steps.  At first the darkness appeared impenetrable, but presently
+her eyes became accustomed to the imperfect light, and she saw that she
+was standing in a long apartment, filled with all manner of odd,
+injured, and useless articles.  Scraps of broken furniture, balks of
+timber, and strangely-shaped pieces of iron lay on every side.  It was
+evidently a lumber-room of past generations which had been deserted by
+later tenants, for the grated windows were thick with dust, and the
+cobwebs hung in wreaths on the walls.  Rex lighted the lantern, closed
+the door as quietly as might be, and dodged in and out the piles of
+rubbish to the far end of the cellar.  "Come here!  What do you think of
+this?" he cried triumphantly; and Norah groped her way forward, to find
+him standing before a part of the wall which had been broken down for
+some purpose and left unrepaired.  The stones and mortar were piled high
+on the ground, and hidden behind them was a large hole opening into a
+dark passage.  "This looks like the genuine article, doesn't it?  Are
+you game to explore, and see where it leads?" queried Rex; and Norah
+assented eagerly--
+
+"Oh, yes, yes; I should love it!  It looks so beautifully mysterious.
+There may be hidden treasures.  Would they belong to me if I found
+them?"
+
+"You would have a share, of course; the rest would be mine because I
+discovered the opening.  Now then, I'll go first, and hold the lantern;
+you will have to stoop, but it may get higher as we go along."
+
+The passage proved to be smooth, and, to Norah's relief, quite dry and
+free from those "creepy, crawly animals" which were the only things
+about which she was really nervous.  But Rex was wrong in thinking that
+it might improve in height, for it grew ever narrower and lower as they
+progressed, until at times they were obliged to bend almost double.
+"This is the way people have to crawl about inside the Pyramids," said
+Rex.  "It's a queer kind of place, but I mean to go on until I find
+where it leads.  I say, though! don't you come on if you would rather
+not.  You could go back to the cellar and wait for me."
+
+But Norah would not listen to such a suggestion.  What if her back did
+ache, it was not every day that she had the chance of such an adventure;
+besides, she had no particular wish to be left alone in the dark, while
+it yet remained to be proved how she was to turn round when the time
+came for the return journey.  For five minutes longer they trudged
+forward in silence, then Rex's stick struck against some other substance
+than stone, and his outstretched hand came across a bar of iron.  It
+proved to be a half-closed grating, shutting out the entrance into the
+further portion of the passage, but he was not to be turned aside by
+such a trifle as this, and after much pushing and banging managed to
+raise it sufficiently to make it possible to scramble underneath.  Norah
+followed in agile fashion, but hardly had she done so than there came
+the sound of a fall, and a sharp, metallic click.
+
+"What's that?" cried Rex quickly, and Norah stretched out her hand to
+discover the cause of the noise.  It came, into contact with something
+hard and cold, and her heart gave a leap of fear, for she realised in an
+instant that the trap-door had fallen, and that the click which they had
+heard had been the catch with which it had swung into its rightful
+position.
+
+"I--I think something has fastened the grating," she said faintly.  "I
+can't make it move.  We shan't be able to get back this way."
+
+"Oh, what nonsense!  Let me come and try," said Rex impatiently, but the
+passage was so narrow at this point that it was impossible for him to
+pass, and he had to content himself with directing Norah's efforts.
+"I'll hold the lantern; look up and down and see if you can find the
+fastening.  Push upwards!  Put your fingers in the holes, and tug with
+all your might. ...  Try it the other way. ...  Kick it with your feet!"
+
+Norah worked with all her strength--and she was a strong, well-grown
+girl, with no small muscular power--but the grating stood firm as a
+rock, and resisted all her efforts.  "It's no use, Rex," she panted
+desperately; and there was silence for a few moments, broken by a sound
+which was strangely like the beating of two anxious hearts.
+
+"Well, we shall just have to go on then, that's all," said Rex shortly.
+"A passage is bound to lead somewhere, I suppose.  The worst that can
+happen is that we may have a walk home, and you couldn't come to much
+harm in that coat!"
+
+"Oh no!  I shall be all right," said Norah bravely.  For a few moments
+she had been horribly frightened, but Rex's matter-of-fact speech had
+restored her confidence in his leadership.  Of course the passage must
+have an outlet.  She considered where they would come out, and even
+smiled faintly to herself at the thought of the comical figure which she
+would cut, striding through the lanes in the squire's old yellow
+mackintosh.  She was determined to let Rex see that though she was only
+a girl, she could be as brave as any boy; but it was difficult to keep
+up her spirits during the next ten minutes, for the passage seemed to
+grow narrower all the time, while the air was close and heavy.  A long
+time seemed to pass while they groped their way forward, then suddenly
+Rex's stick struck against some obstacle directly in his path, and he
+stopped short.
+
+"What is it?" cried Norah fearfully.  It seemed an endless time to the
+poor child before he answered, in a voice so strained and hoarse as to
+be hardly recognisable.
+
+"The passage is blocked.  It is walled up.  We cannot get any further!"
+Rex lifted the lantern as he spoke and looked anxiously into the girl's
+face, but Norah said nothing.  It seemed as if she could not realise the
+meaning of his words, but there was a dizzy feeling in her head as if a
+catherine-wheel were whirling round and round, and she felt suddenly
+weak and tired, so that she was obliged to sit down and lean against the
+wall.
+
+Rex bent over her with an anxious face.
+
+"You are not going to faint, Norah?"
+
+"Oh, no; I am--quite well."
+
+There was a long silence, then--"Rex," said Norah, in a very weak little
+voice, "did anyone know that you were down in the cellars to-day?"
+
+Rex cleared his throat in miserable embarrassment.
+
+"No, Norah.  I am afraid no one saw me."
+
+"Will they miss the keys?"
+
+"They are very old keys, Norah.  Nobody uses them."
+
+A little frightened gasp sounded in his ear, but Norah said no more.
+Rex clenched his fist and banged it fiercely on his knee.
+
+"Idiot! idiot that I was!  What business had I to let you come.  It's
+all my fault.  It was no place for a girl; but the opening looked right
+enough, and I thought--"
+
+"I know.  Besides, you asked me if I would like an adventure, and I said
+I would.  I came of my own free will.  Don't be angry with yourself,
+Rex; it is as much my fault as yours."
+
+"You are a little brick, Norah," said a husky voice, and Rex's hand
+gripped hers with a quick, strong pressure.  "I never thought a girl
+could be so plucky.  I'll not forget--" He broke off suddenly, and
+Norah's voice was very unsteady as she asked the next question--
+
+"If--if we shouted very loudly would anyone hear?"
+
+"I--er-- Think how far away from the house we must be by this time,
+Norah!"
+
+There was a long, throbbing silence.  Rex sat with his head bent forward
+on his knees; Norah stared blankly before her, her face looking thin and
+ghost-like in the dim light.  The silence grew oppressive, and presently
+the lad raised his head and touched his companion on the arm.  "Don't
+look like that, Norah.  What is it?  Norah, speak!  What are you
+thinking about?"  He had to bend forward to hear the answer, for Norah's
+lips were dry, and her throat parched as with thirst.
+
+"Poor father!" she gasped; and Rex started at the sound with a stab of
+pain.
+
+"Don't!  I can't bear it.  Norah, for pity's sake don't give in--don't
+give up hope.  Something will happen--it will--it must!  We shall get
+out all right."
+
+"But if we can't go forward, and if we can't go back, and if no one can
+hear us call," said Norah, still in the same slow, gasping accents, "I
+don't see--how--we can. ...  Rex! how long shall we have to wait before
+we--"
+
+"If you say that word, Norah, I'll never forgive you!  We must get out--
+we _shall_ get out!  Come, rouse yourself like a good girl, and I will
+go back to see what I can do with that grating.  It's our only chance.
+Lead the way until we come to the broadest part of the passage, and then
+I must manage to pass you somehow or other.  It has to be done."
+
+Norah put out her hands and dragged herself wearily to her feet.  The
+feeble gleam of the lantern seemed only to call attention to the inky
+blackness, and the air was so close and noisome, that she breathed in
+heavy pants.  It had been a delightful adventure to explore this
+passage, so long as it was in her power to turn back at any moment; but
+now that there was this dreadful terror of not being able to get out at
+all, it seemed like a living grave, and poor Norah staggered forward in
+sick despair.  As they neared the grating, however, it became possible
+to stand upright, and this, in itself, was a relief, for her back was
+aching from long stooping.
+
+Rex laid down the lantern at a safe distance, and put his hand on the
+girl's shoulder.  "Now then, Norah, I am going to squeeze past.  I may
+hurt you a little, but it will be only for a moment.  Stretch your arms
+out flat against the wall, turn your head sideways, and make yourself as
+small as you can.  I will take off my coat.  Now!  Are you ready?"
+
+"Ready!" said Norah faintly; and the next moment it seemed as if the
+breath were being squeezed out of her body, as Rex pressed her more and
+more tightly against the wall.  A horrible gasp of suffocation, a wild
+desire to push him off and fight for her own liberty, and then it was
+all over, and they were standing side by side, gasping, panting, and
+tremulous.
+
+"That's over!" sighed Rex thankfully.  "Poor Norah!  I am afraid I hurt
+you badly, but it was the best plan to get it over as quickly as
+possible.  Now then, hold up the lantern, and let me have a look round."
+...
+
+It was a time of breathless suspense as Rex went carefully over every
+inch of the door, examining niche and corner in the hope of discovering
+the secret of the spring by which it was moved.  The grating was rusty
+with age, and had evidently stuck in the position in which he had found
+it an hour before, when his vigorous shakings had loosened the springs
+by which it was moved.  Try as he might, however, he could not succeed
+in moving it a second time; there was no sign of knob or handle; he
+could find no clue to its working.
+
+"It's no use, Rex," said Norah feebly.  "You will have to give it up."
+But the lad's indomitable will would not permit him to agree in any such
+conclusion.
+
+"I will never give it up!" he cried loudly.  "I brought you into this
+place, and I'll get you out of it, if I have to break every bar with my
+own hands--if I have to pick the stones out of the wall!  Move along a
+few yards; I'm going to lie down on my back, and try what kicking will
+do."
+
+No sooner said than done.  Rex stretched himself at full length on the
+ground, moved up and down to get at the right distance, and began to
+assail the grating with a series of such violent kicks as woke a babel
+of subterranean echoes.  Not in vain he had been the crack "kick" of the
+football team at school; not in vain had he exercised his muscles ever
+since childhood in scrambling over mountain heights, and taking part in
+vigorous out-of-door sports.  Norah clasped her hands in a tremor of
+excitement.  It seemed to her that no fastenings in the world could long
+withstand such a battery, and when Rex suddenly sprang to his feet and
+charged at the door, she fairly shrieked with exultation.
+
+"Go on!  Go on!  It shakes!  I'm sure it shakes!  Oh, Rex, kick! kick
+for your life!"  It was a superfluous entreaty.  The strength of ten men
+seemed to be concentrated in the lad for the next ten minutes, as he
+fought the iron grating, changing from one position to another, as signs
+of increasing weakness appeared in different parts of the framework.
+Norah gasped out encouragement in the background, until at last, with a
+crash and bang, the old springs gave way, and the grating fell to the
+ground.
+
+"Now--come!" shouted Rex.  He did not waste a moment in rejoicing; now
+that the barrier was removed both he and Norah were possessed with but
+one longing--to get out of the passage as quickly as possible into
+light, and air, and safety.  Two minutes later they were seated side by
+side on one of the beams of timber on the cellar floor, gazing into each
+other's face with distended eyes.  Rex was purple with the strain of his
+late efforts--his breath came pantingly, his hair lay in damp rings on
+his forehead.  Norah's face was ghastly white; she was trembling from
+head to foot.
+
+"Thank God!" said Rex solemnly.  They were his first words, and Norah
+bent her head with a little sob of agitation.
+
+"Oh, thank God!  We might have been buried alive in that awful place."
+
+Rex took out his handkerchief and mopped his forehead, looking anxiously
+at his companion the while.  "You don't think you will be ill, do you,
+Norah?  You look horribly white."
+
+"Oh no!--oh no!  I shall be all right in an hour, but I shall never
+forget it.  Rex, I think we ought to be awfully good all our lives--we
+have had such a wonderful escape, and we know now how it feels-- When I
+thought I was never going to come out of that passage, I was sorry I had
+been cross to Hilary, and--so selfish!  I made up my mind if I had
+another chance--"
+
+"I don't believe you have ever done anything wrong, Norah," said Rex, in
+a low, husky voice.  There was a long silence, then--"My father will
+feel inclined to kill me when he hears about this!" he added shortly.
+
+Norah started.  "But need we tell them?  I don't think it would be wrong
+to say nothing about it.  We are safe, and it has taught us to be more
+careful in future.  It would only upset everyone, and make them
+miserable, if they knew we had been in such danger.  I'll slip quietly
+to my room, and it shall be a secret between us, Rex--you and I."
+
+Rex looked at her in silence, with his big, keen eyes.  "You are the
+best little soul in the world, Norah," he said.  "I wish I were like
+you!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ELEVEN.
+
+THE NEW MARY.
+
+Norah was white and subdued for the rest of the evening, but as she was
+a stranger to three out of the four members of the household, this
+unusual fact attracted little attention.  It was taken for granted that,
+like Edna, she was exhausted by the excitement of the first music
+lesson, and both girls were despatched to bed at an early hour.
+
+Next morning Rex hied off to the Vicarage, to work for a couple of hours
+with the vicar, a scholarly recluse, with whom he was reading for
+college, and the girls were left alone to pursue their acquaintance.
+Conversation naturally turned on Rex, but Edna told the story of his
+discontent from a fresh point of view.
+
+"Father doesn't ask him to choose a profession if he would rather go
+into business, but he thinks every man is the better for a college
+education, and that Rex is too young to decide for himself until he is
+twenty-one.  If he works till then, he can do what he likes in the
+future.  But Rex is so obstinate; he thinks he is a man because he is
+nearly eighteen, and wants to have his own way at once.  It makes father
+so angry."
+
+Norah pursed up her lips.  She could imagine that a conflict of wills
+between the old Squire and his son would be no trifling matter.  In
+imagination, she saw them standing facing each other, the father ruddy,
+bristling, energetic, Rex straight and tall, his lips set, his eyes
+gleaming.  They were too like each other in disposition for either to
+find it easy to give way.
+
+"Boys are a great trial," she said, sighing profoundly.  "We have two,
+you know--Raymond and Bob.  They have gone back to school now, and the
+house is so peaceful.  I am glad I wasn't born a boy.  They never seem
+happy unless there is a disturbance going on.  But both Rex and your
+father seem so fond of you.  Can't you coax them round?"
+
+"Oh, I daren't!"  Edna looked quite alarmed.  "Mother and I never
+interfere; we leave them to fight it out between themselves.  But if
+they go on fighting for the next three years it won't be very lively, I
+must say!"
+
+Edna would have been as much surprised as delighted if she had known
+that the conflict which had so long destroyed the peace of the household
+was at an end, even as she spoke.  No one could fail to notice that the
+Squire was in an unusually radiant frame of mind at luncheon, or that he
+addressed his son with marked favour; but it was not until the drive
+home was nearly over, and the gates of Cloudsdale in view, that Rex
+enlightened his companion's curiosity on the point.  He cleared his
+throat once or twice in a curious, embarrassed manner, before he began
+to speak.
+
+"Er--Norah--I've something to tell you.  When we were shut up in that
+hole last night, I was thinking too.  The governor has been very good to
+me, and it seems ungrateful to stand out about college, when he is so
+keen on it.  It is only for three years.  I--er--I told him this morning
+that I would do my best till I was twenty-one, if he would promise to
+let me have a free choice after that."
+
+"Oh, Rex, did you?  I am so glad.  I am sure you will never regret it.
+You will always be glad that you did what your father wished, even if it
+is hard at the time.  I think you are very, very good and kind, and
+unselfish."
+
+"All right!  You needn't gush.  I hate girls who gush," said Rex curtly;
+and Norah understood that she was to say no more on the subject, and
+collapsed into obedient silence.
+
+It seemed a day of good resolutions, for Norah could not but notice that
+Hilary looked ill and was obviously in low spirits.  Her greeting had
+been more affectionate than usual; nevertheless, the remembrance of the
+quarrel of a few days earlier still rankled in Norah's mind, and the
+resolutions of yesterday were too fresh to allow her to be satisfied
+without a definite reconciliation.  The first time they were alone
+together, she burst into impetuous apologies.  "Oh, Hilary, I wanted to
+say that I'm sorry I was cross on Monday.  I don't mind a bit about the
+drawing-room; alter it in any way you like.  Of course you know better
+how things should be, after staying in London.  I'm sorry I was rude,
+but I did dust it, really!"
+
+To her surprise, the tears rose in Hilary's eyes, and she looked
+absolutely distressed.  "Oh, Norah, don't!  I'm sorry too.  I didn't
+think I had grumbled so much.  But Miss Carr's house is so beautiful,
+and when I came home--"
+
+"I know.  But it looks ever so much nicer in summer, when the doors are
+open and the flowers are in bloom.  If you like to move the piano, and
+make it stand out from the walls, I'll give you my yellow silk for the
+drapery.  Aunt Amy sent it to me for a dress, but I've never used it."
+
+"Thank you, Norah; it's awfully good of you, but I shall have something
+else to do besides draping pianos for the next few weeks, I'm afraid,"
+said Hilary dismally.  "Mary has given notice!"  And the poor little
+housekeeper heaved a sigh, for Mary had been a model housemaid, and it
+would be a difficult matter to replace her in this quiet country place.
+
+"Mary given notice!  Oh, how horrid!  I hate strange servants, and she
+has been with us so long.  Why ever is she--" Norah checked herself with
+a quick recollection of the events of the last week, but Hilary did not
+shirk the unfinished question.
+
+"She was vexed because I found fault.  I felt cross and worried, and
+vented it on her.  I didn't realise it at the time, but I see now that I
+was unreasonable."  And to hear Hilary confess a fault was an experience
+so extraordinary, that Norah sat dumbfounded, unable to account for the
+phenomenon.
+
+The threatened loss of Mary was too important a family event to pass
+unnoticed in the general conversation.  Lettice was full of
+lamentations, and even Rex had a tribute to pay to her excellence.  "The
+big, strapping girl, who waited on me when I was laid up?  Oh, I say,
+what a nuisance!  I wish she would come to us; she has such a jolly
+good-natured face."
+
+"If she came to you, I would never stay at your house again.  I'd be too
+jealous," said Norah dolefully.  "We shall never get anyone like Mary."
+
+"We may be thankful if we get anyone at all.  Girls don't like living so
+far from the village," groaned Lettice in concert; and the virtues of
+Mary, and the difficulties of supplanting her, were discussed at length
+throughout the afternoon.  Hilary's sense of guilt in the matter made
+her even more energetic than usual in her efforts to find a new maid.
+She visited the local registry offices, inserted advertisements in the
+papers, and wrote reams of letters; and, on the third day, to her
+delight, a young woman arrived to apply for the situation.  It was the
+first time that the duty of interviewing a new servant had devolved upon
+Hilary's shoulders, for all three maids had been in the family for
+years, and, in her new doubtfulness of self, she would have been glad to
+ask the help of Miss Briggs, but that good lady had taken Geraldine for
+a walk, and there was no help at hand.
+
+"I don't know if she is afraid of me, but I am certainly terrified of
+her!" said poor Hilary, smoothing her hair before the glass, and trying
+to make herself look as staid and grown-up as possible.  "I don't know
+what on earth to say.  Lettice, come and sit in the room, there's a
+dear, and see what you think of her.  I shouldn't like to engage anyone
+on my own responsibility."  So the two girls went downstairs together,
+and Lettice looked on from a quiet corner, while Hilary sat bolt
+upright, cross-questioning the new servant.  She was a tall, awkward
+girl, untidily dressed, with a fly-away hat perched on the top of her
+head, a spotted veil drawn over her face, and the shabbiest of boas
+wound round her neck.  "What a contrast to our nice, trim Mary!" groaned
+Lettice to herself, while Hilary cudgelled her brain to think of
+appropriate questions.
+
+"And--er--have you been accustomed to housemaid's work?"
+
+"Oh, yes, miss.  I'm very handy about a house, miss.  I'm sure I could
+give you satisfaction, miss."
+
+("I don't like her voice.  She has not nearly such nice manners as
+Mary," sighed Hilary to herself.  "Oh dear me!")
+
+"And--er--can you--er--get up in the morning without being called?"
+
+"Oh yes, miss; I'm fond of early rising.  It's never any trouble to me
+to get up."
+
+"And--er--we are rather a large family, and I am very particular.  Are
+you quite strong and able to work?"
+
+"Oh yes, miss; quite strong, miss.  Never had a day's illness in my
+life."
+
+"And--er--(there must be other questions to ask, but it's terribly
+difficult to think of them.  I can't ask her to her face if she is
+honest and sober--it's absurd," thought Hilary in despair).  "And--er--
+er--I suppose you are good-tempered, and would not quarrel with the
+other servants?"
+
+"Oh yes, miss.  Oh no, miss.  All my mistresses would say for me, I'm
+sure, miss, that there never was a girl with a sweeter temper.  I
+couldn't hurt a fly, miss, I'm sure I couldn't, I've such a tender
+heart."
+
+("I'm sure she has nothing of the kind.  I don't like her a bit; but, oh
+dear! what can I do?  If she goes on agreeing with all I say, I have no
+excuse for telling her that she won't suit.")
+
+"And--er--you would have to attend to all the bedrooms, and the
+schoolroom, and help the parlour-maid with the waiting.  If you have not
+been accustomed to a large family, I am afraid you would find it a heavy
+place."
+
+"Oh no, miss; not too heavy, miss.  I'm never so happy as when I'm
+working.  I've been brought up to work."
+
+"Yes--but--but--but I'm afraid you would not suit me," cried Hilary,
+summoning the courage in despair, and determined, at all costs, to put
+an end to the interview.  "I won't trouble you to send your character,
+for perhaps your mistress might object to give it twice, and I--er--you
+see--I don't quite know when my present maid is leaving, and I think--I
+am afraid--"
+
+"Oh, it's no trouble at all, miss.  I'll bring it with pleasure.  I am
+sure you would suit me very well.  I've always heard of you as such a
+good mistress, and I'd like to live with you; I would indeed!"
+
+Hilary sat dumbfounded.  She was beginning to feel quite afraid of this
+terrible young woman who stood up before her, looking so tall and
+formidable, and tossing her head until all the shabby black feathers
+shook again on her hat.  "I--I won't detain you any longer," she said
+icily, as she rose from her seat.  "You can leave your address, and if I
+change my mind I will let you know."  She laid her hand on the bell as
+she spoke, but, to her amazement, the young woman suddenly flopped down
+on a chair, and folded her arms with a determined gesture.
+
+"I won't stir an inch till I've had my lunch," she said; and from
+beneath the skirts of her dress there appeared a pair of stout, hob-
+nailed boots; from within her muff, two big, brown hands; and beneath
+the veil, a laughing, mischievous face.
+
+"Rex!" screamed Hilary, at the pitch of her voice.  "Oh, you horrible,
+deceiving, bad, impertinent boy!"
+
+"Rex!" echoed Lettice in chorus.  "Oh, oh! how lovely I how delicious!
+However did you do it?  Norah!--Norah!  Norah!  Oh, do come here!"
+
+In rushed Norah, breathless with curiosity, to know what had happened,
+and the next ten minutes was passed in a clamour of questionings.  When
+had he thought of it?  How had he thought of it?  Where had he found the
+clothes?  How had he dressed? etcetera, etcetera.
+
+Rex paraded the room with mincing steps, and simpered at his own
+reflection in the looking-glass.
+
+"Old things of the mater's and Edna's.  Brought 'em over in the cart,
+and dressed in the summer-house.  What a nice girl I should have made,
+to be sure!  Seems quite a waste, doesn't it?  I say, though, I am
+nearly suffocating with heat.  Can't I go and take them off somewhere?"
+
+He was crossing the hall on the way to the cloak-room, when who should
+come tripping downstairs but Mary herself, trim and neat as ever, but
+casting a glance the reverse of approving at the strange young woman who
+had come to supplant herself.
+
+"Good morning, Mary.  I've come to apply for the place," said Rex
+gravely; then suddenly picking up his skirts, displayed his trousered
+legs underneath, and executed a wild schottische round the hall.
+
+Mary gave a shriek, put her hand to her heart, and sank down on the
+stairs, brushes and all, in a breathless heap.  "Oh, Mr Rex, oh!  I
+never in all my life!  Oh, what a turn you gave me!  Oh! oh! oh!"  And
+she gasped and panted till Norah became alarmed, and went up to pat her
+on the shoulder.
+
+"Don't, Mary, don't!  Oh, Mary, I wish it was all fun.  I wish you
+weren't going."
+
+"So do I, Miss Norah.  I don't want to leave you, but Miss Hilary--"
+
+"I don't want you to go, Mary.  I would rather have you than anyone
+else."
+
+"Ha! ha! ha!"  Rex pranced round the hall in wild delight.  "Look at
+that now!  Reginald Freer, Esquire, peacemaker and housemaid-waitress.
+Apply--Brathey Manor--"
+
+"What in the world is the matter?  Has everyone gone mad?  How am I
+supposed to write in this uproar?"  Mr Bertrand appeared at his study
+door with an expression of long-enduring misery, whereat there was a
+general stampede, and the house subsided into silence.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWELVE.
+
+VISITORS ARRIVE.
+
+Whitsuntide fell in the beginning of June, and as Hilary went a tour of
+inspection round the house and grounds, she was proudly conscious that
+everything was looking its very best.  The rooms were sweet with the
+scent of flowers; the open doors and windows showed a vista of well-kept
+lawn, and in the distance the swelling height of mountains, beautiful
+with that peculiar rich, velvet green which can be seen in no other
+country in the world.  Who would pause to notice the deficiencies of
+curtain and carpet, when they could look out of the window and see such
+a scene as that?  As for the garden itself, it was a miracle of beauty,
+for the flowering trees were still in bloom, while the wild roses had
+thrown their branches high over the tall fir trees, and transformed the
+drive into a fairy bower.
+
+Hilary had special reasons for wishing everything to appear at its best
+to-day, for two visitors were expected to arrive by the afternoon
+train--Miss Carr, and the crippled author, Henry Rayner himself.  Half-
+a-dozen times she made a round of inspection, each time finding some
+trifling alteration or addition to make to her preparations.  At last,
+however, all was ready: the tea-tray laid in the drawing-room, her own
+white dress donned, a bunch of roses pinned in her belt; and there was
+nothing left but to wait in such patience as she could command, while
+Lettice and Norah looked at her slyly and exchanged glances of approval.
+
+"Doesn't she look nice?" they whispered; and, indeed, Hilary was looking
+her best this afternoon, with the pretty flush in her cheeks, and her
+eyes alight with excitement.  A few minutes after six o'clock the fly
+drove up to the door, and there sat Miss Carr, in her fashionable London
+bonnet, and, beside her, Mr Rayner, pale and delicate as ever, but
+looking around him with an air of intense delight in the beautiful
+surroundings.  Mr Bertrand was on the front seat, and Hilary came
+forward to do the honours with much less assurance than she would have
+shown six months earlier.
+
+"My dear, good child, have you any tea?  I am perishing of thirst!"
+cried Miss Carr loudly.  She was so bustling and matter-of-fact, that
+she was the best remedy in the world for shyness; and Hilary led the way
+to the drawing-room with recovered equanimity.  She had only had time
+for a quick hand-shake with the other visitor, but the glance which had
+been exchanged between them was delightful in its memory of past
+meetings--its augury of good times to come.
+
+"And here are your other big girls.  Dear me!" said Miss Carr, bestowing
+a hasty glance at Norah, and staring hard at Lettice over the edge of
+her cup.  "I remember them all in long clothes, but I shall make a point
+of forgetting them soon if they go on growing up like this.  There is a
+limit to everything--even to the memory of an old woman like myself.
+The boys are at school, I suppose?  But the little one--my baby--
+Geraldine?"
+
+"Quite well, sank you--how are you?" said the Mouse, coming forward from
+her hiding-place, and holding out her tiny hand, with a sweet-faced
+gravity which was too much for the good lady's composure.  Down went the
+teacup on the table, and Geraldine was folded in a hearty embrace.
+
+"Bless your innocent face!  I'm well, my darling--a great deal better
+for seeing you.  You don't remember me, do you?"
+
+The Mouse put her head on one side as if considering how to answer
+truthfully, without hurting the visitor's feelings.  "I _sink_ I don't,"
+she said slowly, "only p'raps I shall by-and-by.  I'm very pleased to
+see you."
+
+"There now!  What do you think of that?  She couldn't possibly belong to
+anyone in the world but you, Austin," cried Miss Carr in triumph; and
+Mr Rayner held out his hand to the child with a smile that showed that
+the Mouse had added yet another to the long list of her adorers.
+
+It was not until dinner was over and the whole party had strolled into
+the garden, that Hilary had a chance of a quiet talk with Mr Rayner;
+but when her father and Miss Carr began to pace up and down the lawn, he
+came up to her with a gesture of invitation.
+
+"Won't you sit down for a few minutes on this seat?"  Then, with a smile
+of friendly interest, "Well--how goes it?--How goes it?"
+
+Hilary drew in her breath with a gasp of pleasure.  She had not realised
+when in London how greatly she had been touched and impressed by her
+meetings with the crippled author; it was only after she had returned to
+the quiet of the country home that she had found her thoughts returning
+to him again and again, with a longing to confide her troubles in his
+ear; to ask his advice, and to see the kindly sympathy on his face.  The
+deep, rich tone of his voice as he said that "How goes it?" filled her
+with delighted realisation that the long-looked-for time had arrived.
+
+"Oh, pretty well--better and worse!  I have been making discoveries."
+
+"About--?"
+
+"Myself, I think!"  And Hilary stretched out her hands with a little
+gesture of distaste, which was both graceful and natural.
+
+Mr Rayner looked at her fixedly beneath bent brows.  "Poor little Two
+Shoes!" he said gravely.  "So soon!  It hurts, Two Shoes, but it's good
+in the end.  Growing pains, you know!"
+
+"Yes!" said Hilary softly.  It was good to find someone who understood
+without asking questions or forcing confidence.  "And you?" she asked
+presently, raising her eyes to his with a smile of inquiry--"what have
+you been doing?"
+
+"I?  Oh! making discoveries also, I fear; among others, the disagreeable
+one that I can no longer work as I used, or as other men work, and must,
+therefore, be satisfied to be left behind in the race.  But we are
+getting melancholy, and it's a shame even to think of disagreeable
+subjects in a place like this.  What a perfect view!  I should never
+tire of looking at those mountains."
+
+"Aren't they beautiful?  That is Coniston Old Man right before us, and
+those are the Langdale Pikes over there to the right.  I like them best
+of all, for they stand out so well, and in winter, when they are covered
+with snow, they look quite awful.  Oh, I am so glad you have come!  We
+generally have good weather in June, and we will have such lovely
+drives--"
+
+Meantime Mr Bertrand and Miss Carr were having an animated
+conversation.
+
+"What do you think of my three little girls?" had been his first
+question, and Miss Carr laughed derisively as she answered--
+
+"Little girls, indeed!  They will be grown-up women before you know
+where you are, Austin.  I like that young Norah.  There is something
+very taking about her bright, little face.  Miss Consequence has
+improved, I think; not quite so well pleased with herself, which means
+more pleasing to other people.  She looks well in that white dress.  As
+for Miss Lettice, she is quite unnecessarily good-looking."
+
+"Isn't she lovely?" queried Mr Bertrand eagerly.  "And you will find
+her just as sweet as she looks.  They have been very good and contented
+all spring, but it has been in the expectation of your visit, and the
+changes which you were to make.  We are looking to you to solve all our
+difficulties."
+
+"Very kind of you, I am sure.  It's not an easy position to fill.  The
+difficulty, so far as I can see, is compressed into the next three
+years.  After that you will have to face it, Austin, and come back to
+town.  You can keep on this house for a summer place, if you wish, but
+the boys will be turning out into the world by then, and you ought to be
+in town to keep a home for them.  Hilary will be twenty-one, the other
+two not far behind, and it is not fair to keep girls of that age in this
+out-of-the-way spot all the year round, when it can be avoided.  For the
+next three years you can go on very well as you are; after that--"
+
+"I'm afraid so!  I'm afraid you are right.  I've thought so myself,"
+said Mr Bertrand dolefully.  "I can't say I look forward to the
+prospect, but if it must be done, it must.  I must make the most of my
+three last years.  And, meantime, you think the girls are all right as
+they are?  I need make no change?"
+
+Miss Carr pressed her lips together without speaking, while they paced
+slowly up and down the lawn.  "I think," she said slowly, at last, "that
+three girls are rather too many in a house like this.  You have Miss
+Briggs to look after Geraldine, and three servants to do the work.
+There cannot be enough occupation or interest to keep three young people
+content and happy.  I have thought several times during the spring,
+Austin, that it would be a good plan if you lent one of your daughters
+to me for a year or two."
+
+"My dear Helen!  A year or two!  One of my girls!"
+
+"Yes--yes!  I knew that you would work yourself up into a state of
+excitement.  What a boy you are, Austin!  Listen quietly, and try to be
+reasonable.  If you send one of the girls to me, I will see that she
+finishes her education under the best masters; that she makes her
+entrance into society at the right time, and has friends of whom you
+would approve.  It would be a great advantage--"
+
+"I know it, I feel it, and I am deeply grateful, Helen; but it can't be
+done.  I can't separate myself from my children."
+
+"You manage to exist without your boys for nine months of the year; and
+I would never wish to separate you.  She could come home for Christmas
+and a couple of months in summer, and you yourself are in town half-a-
+dozen times in the course of the year.  You could always stay at my
+house."
+
+"Yes, yes; it's all true; but I don't like it, Helen, and--"
+
+"And you think only of yourself.  It never occurs to you that I have not
+a soul belonging to me in that big, lonely house, and that it might be a
+comfort to me to have a bright young girl--"
+
+Mr Bertrand stopped short in the middle of the lawn and stared into his
+companion's face.  There was an unusual flush on her cheeks, and her
+eyes glistened with tears.
+
+"Oh, my dear Helen," he cried.  "I am a selfish wretch!  I never thought
+of that.  Of course, if you put it in that light, I can say no more.  My
+dear old friend--I accept your offer with thanks!  You have done so much
+for me, that I can refuse you nothing.  It will be a lifelong advantage
+to the child, and I know you will make her happy."
+
+"I will, indeed; and you may trust me, Austin, to consider more than
+mere happiness.  I will do my best to make her such a woman as her dear
+mother was before her."
+
+"I know you will.  Thank you, Helen.  And which--which--?"
+
+"Nay, I am not going to tell you that."  Miss Carr had brushed the tears
+from her eyes, and with them all signs of her unusual emotion.  She was
+herself again--sharp, decisive, matter-of-fact.  "I must have my choice,
+of course; but I will take a week to make up my mind.  And she must be
+left entirely in my hands for the time being, remember!  I shall look
+after her clothes, education, pleasuring, as if she were my own child.
+There must be no interference."
+
+"Obstinate woman!  Who would dare to enter the lists against you?" cried
+Mr Bertrand between a laugh and a sigh.  "Heigho!  Which of my little
+lasses am I going to lose?  Whichever it is, I shall feel she is the
+last I could spare, and shall bear you a grudge for your choice.  Can't
+you give me a hint?"
+
+"No! and I wouldn't if I could.  I'll tell you when I am ready," said
+Miss Carr coolly.  And that settled the question for the time being.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
+
+A TETE-A-TETE.
+
+During the next few days the girls could not help noticing a peculiar
+contradiction in their father's manner towards themselves.  He was
+alternately demonstratively affectionate and unreasonably irritable.  He
+snubbed Norah's performance on the violin, scolded Lettice because she
+was wearing white dresses instead of her old blue serge, and called
+attention to flaws in the housekeeping in a manner which sent the iron
+into Hilary's soul.  And then, when a chance meeting occurred on the
+landing or stairs, he would throw his arms round them and kiss them over
+and over again with passionate tenderness.
+
+"Something is happening, but I haven't the remotest idea what it is,"
+said Norah to her sisters; and it added to their curiosity to notice
+that Miss Carr was openly amused at their father's demeanour, while he
+was as evidently embarrassed by her quizzical smiles.
+
+Mr Bertrand had decided to say nothing of Miss Carr's invitation until
+that lady had made her final choice; but when the third day came he
+could restrain himself no longer, and taking the girls aside he
+proceeded to inform them of the new life which was before one of their
+number.  The news was received in characteristic fashion.  Hilary stood
+in silence, thinking deeply; Lettice promptly burst into tears, and
+clung round her father's arm; and Norah blurted out a dozen
+contradictory speeches.
+
+"How horrid of her!  I won't go!  I should hate to leave you all.  It's
+very kind. ...  The best masters!  It would be lovely, of course, but--
+Oh, dear! whom will she choose?"
+
+"I couldn't leave home, father.  Who would look after the house?  It
+would be impossible for Lettice to do the housekeeping.  Miss Carr knows
+me best.  I should love it if it were not for leaving home."
+
+"I don't want to go!  I don't want to leave you.  Oh, father, father!
+I'd be so homesick!  Don't let me go!"
+
+Mr Bertrand stroked Lettice's golden locks, and looked on the point of
+breaking down himself.
+
+"Whichever Miss Carr chooses will have to go," he said slowly.  "I have
+promised as much, and I think it will be for the best.  I shall be in
+town every two or three months, and she will come home for the Christmas
+and the summer holidays, so that it will not be a desperate matter.
+Don't cry, my pet; you are only one of three, remember; it is by no
+means certain that Miss Carr would have you, even if you begged to go.
+Perhaps I should not have said anything about it; but it was on my mind,
+and I was bound to speak.  London is a fascinating place.  It is the
+centre of the world--it _is_ the world; you will find many
+compensations."
+
+"I shall see a great deal of Mr Rayner.  I'm sure she will choose me.
+It's only fair.  I'm the eldest, and she knows me best," thought Hilary
+to herself.
+
+"I should go to the Royal College of Music, learn from the best masters,
+and play at the concerts," thought Norah.  "I wonder if it would stop
+Edna's lessons!  I should feel mean if it did that, and I _do_ enjoy
+going over every fortnight and having fun at the Manor!"
+
+Lettice sobbed on her father's shoulder, and tried to smother the
+thought that it would be "nice" to know grand people, and drive in the
+park dressed in pretty, fashionable clothes.
+
+Very little more was said on the subject.  The girls were shy of
+revealing their secret thoughts, and Mr Bertrand was already beginning
+to repent the confidence which had had the effect of damping their high
+spirits.
+
+"We must get up an excursion of some kind to-morrow, or we shall all be
+in the blues," he said to himself, and when tea-time arrived he had all
+the plans cut and dried.
+
+"A char-a-banc will be at the door at half-past ten to-morrow, good
+people.  We will drive over to Grasmere and lunch at the Rothay.  It is
+convenient for the churchyard and the gingerbread shop, and there is a
+good garden.  We can lounge about in the afternoon, and get back in time
+for a late dinner.  There will be eight of us, and the char-a-banc holds
+twelve, so we shall have plenty of room."
+
+"Oh, father!--Rex and Edna!  Do let us ask them!  There is time to send
+a letter to-night, and we could pick them up at the cross-roads.  Oh,
+father!"
+
+"Oh, Norah!  Certainly, my dear; ask your friends if you wish.  I shall
+be pleased to have them," said Mr Bertrand laughingly; and Norah rushed
+off in delight to scribble her note of invitation.
+
+When the char-a-banc came to the door the next morning, Hilary busied
+herself looking after the storage of cloaks, cushions, camp-stools, and
+various little etceteras which would add to the comfort of the
+excursion.  She looked a very attractive little mistress of the
+ceremonies as she bustled about, with a sailor hat on her head and the
+nattiest little brown shoes in the world peeping out from beneath the
+crisp, white, pique skirts.  Hilary was one of the fortunate people who
+seemed to have been born tidy, and to have kept so ever since.  The wind
+which played havoc with Norah's locks never dared to take liberties with
+her glossy coils; the nails which tore holes in other people's garments
+politely refrained from touching hers; and she could walk through the
+muddiest streets and come home without a speck upon boots or skirt.
+
+Mr Rayner leant on his crutches and watched her active movements with
+the wistful glance which was so often seen upon his face.  Hilary knew
+that for the thousandth time he was chafing at his own inability to
+help, and made a point of consulting him on several matters by way of
+proving that there were more ways than one in which he could be of
+service.
+
+"I don't know.  In the front--in the back; put them where you like.  Are
+you going to sit beside me?" he replied hurriedly, and with an
+undisguised eagerness which brought a flush of pleasure into the girl's
+cheek.
+
+"Oh, yes, I should like to!"
+
+Hilary stood still in a little glow of exultation.  The last few days
+had been delightful with their experiences of lounging, driving, and
+boating, but the coach-drive along the lovely roads, side by side with
+Mr Rayner, able to point out each fresh beauty as it appeared, and to
+enjoy a virtual _tete-a-tete_ for the whole of the way--that was best of
+all!  And he had chosen her as his companion before Lettice, before
+Norah, before any one of the party!  The thought added largely to her
+satisfaction.
+
+As Miss Carr refused point-blank to take the box seat, and as Mr
+Bertrand insisted that it should be taken by the other visitor, Hilary
+advanced to the ladder, and was about to climb up to the high seat, when
+she turned back with an expression of anxious inquiry.
+
+Mr Rayner stood immediately behind, but his "Please go on!" showed that
+he understood her hesitation, and was annoyed at the suggestion of help.
+She seated herself, therefore, and tried in vain to look at ease while
+he followed.  For two or three steps he managed to support himself on
+his crutches with marvellous agility; on the fourth they slipped, and if
+he had not been seized from behind by Mr Bertrand and pulled forward by
+Hilary's outstretched hand, he must have had a serious fall.  Hilary
+literally dare not look at his face for the first ten minutes of the
+drive, for with an instinctive understanding of another person's feeling
+which was a new experience to this self-engrossed little lady, she
+realised that he was smarting beneath the consciousness of having made
+himself an object of general commiseration.  Whatever happened, he must
+not think that she was pitying him.  She racked her brain to think of
+something to say--some amusing stories to tell.  "I wish we were going
+on a coach instead of a char-a-banc.  I love to see the drivers in their
+white hats and red coats, and to hear the horns blowing.  There is
+something so cheerful about a horn!  We are getting to know all the
+drivers quite well now.  I say `getting to know,' because it takes quite
+three years to know a North-countryman.  They are so terribly reserved!
+Last year I was on the box seat of a coach sitting next to the driver
+whom we knew best of all.  There were some American ladies behind who
+kept worrying him with questions all the while.  `Driver, will you show
+us Wordsworth's house?'  `Driver, you won't forget Wordsworth's house?'
+`Driver, hev you passed by Wordsworth's house?'  He just sat like a
+statue and took no notice whatever.  Poor man!  I wonder how many
+thousand times he has been asked those questions!  One of the horses had
+bandages round his front leg, and at last I said--I believe I was trying
+to show off a little bit, you know, just to let them see how polite he
+would be with me--I said, `Oh, Robert, why has the off leader got
+gaiters on to-day?'  His face was just as blank as if I had never
+spoken.  We drove along in silence for about ten minutes, while I got
+hotter and hotter.  Then he cleared his throat deliberately, and said,
+`Well, in the first place--he needs 'em! and in the second place--he
+likes 'em! and in the third place--he can't do without 'em!'  I felt so
+small!"
+
+A forced "Humph!" being the only reception which the story received,
+Hilary braced herself to fresh efforts.  Two or three experiences of
+North-country manners were suggested by the last; she related them in
+her liveliest manner, and even forced herself to laugh merrily at the
+conclusion.  "So funny, wasn't it?  Don't you think it was good?"
+
+The char-a-banc had now reached Bowness, and, for the first time, she
+ventured a glance into her companion's face.  He met her eyes and
+smiled, the slow, sweet smile that transformed his expression.
+
+"I know someone who is good," he said meaningly.  "You have talked
+yourself out of breath trying to drive away the evil spirit.  It's too
+bad!  I am ashamed of my own stupidity."
+
+"I wish--" began Hilary eagerly, and stopped short as suddenly as she
+had begun.
+
+"You wish?  Yes, what is it?  Tell me, do!  I want to hear--"
+
+Hilary paused for a moment and turned her head over her shoulder.  A
+reassuring clatter of voices came to her ear.  Rex, Norah, and Lettice
+chattering away for their lives, and Edna's soft laughter greeting each
+new joke.  The young folks were too much taken up with their own
+conversation to have any attention to spare for the occupants of the box
+seat.  She could speak without fear of being overheard.
+
+"I wish you would try not to be so cross with yourself for being lame!"
+
+Mr Rayner winced in the old, pained manner, but the next moment he
+began to smile.
+
+"`Cross'!  That's a curious way of expressing it.  How am I cross?"
+
+"Oh, always--every way!  Every time it is alluded to in the most distant
+way, you flare up and get angry.  You have snubbed me unmercifully three
+or four times."
+
+"I have snubbed you?  I!"  He seemed overcome with consternation.  "Miss
+Hilary, what an accusation.  I have never felt anything but sincerest
+gratitude for your sympathy--I suppose I am stupid.  I ought to be
+hardened to it by this time, but after being so strong, so proud of my
+strength, it is a bitter pill to find myself handicapped like this--a
+burden to everybody."
+
+"You have been with us now for nearly a week, and there have only been
+two occasions on which you have seemed any different from another man,
+and each time," said Hilary, with unflinching candour, "it has been
+entirely your own fault!  You would not let yourself be helped when it
+was necessary.  If I were in your place, I would say to myself--`I am
+lame!  I hate it, but whether I hate it or not, it's the truth.  I am
+lame! and everybody knows it as well as I do.  I won't pretend that I
+can do all that other people do, and if they want to be kind and help
+me, I'll let them, and if they don't offer, I'll _ask_ them!  Whatever
+happens, I am not going to do foolish, rash things which will deceive
+nobody, and which may end in making me lamer than ever!'  And then I'd
+try to think as little about it as I could, and get all the happiness
+that was left!"
+
+"Oh, wise young judge!" sighed Mr Rayner sadly.  "How easy it is to be
+resigned for another person.  But you are quite right; don't think that
+I am disputing the wisdom of what you say.  I should be happier if I
+faced the thing once for all, and made up my mind as to what I can and
+cannot do.  Well--Miss Carr told me her plans last night.  If you come
+to London, you must keep me up to the mark.  I shall hope to see a great
+deal of you, and if you find me attempting ridiculous things, such as
+that ladder business to-day, you must just--what is it I am supposed to
+have done?--`snub' me severely as a punishment."
+
+Hilary smiled with two-fold satisfaction.  So Mr Rayner agreed with her
+in believing that Miss Carr's choice was practically certain.  The
+prospect of living in London grew more and more attractive as the
+various advantages suggested themselves, and she was roll of delicious
+anticipations.
+
+"Oh, I will," she said merrily.  "I am glad that I did not know you
+before you were ill, because I see no difference now, and I can do it
+more easily.  I think I am like the Mouse; I like you better for being
+different from other people.  She spent a whole morning searching for
+twigs in the garden, and now all her dolls are supplied with crutches."
+
+"Dear little mortal!  I never met a sweeter child," cried Mr Rayner,
+and the conversation branched off to treat of Geraldine and her pretty
+ways.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
+
+THE WISHING GATE.
+
+Lunch was ready when the visitors reached the hotel at Grasmere, and as
+they were equally ready for lunch, they lost no time in seating
+themselves at the large table in the window, and making a vigorous
+attack upon rolls and butter.  The other tables were well filled, and
+Hilary held up her head with complacent pride, while Lettice and Norah
+nudged each other to call attention to the glances of curiosity and
+interest which were directed towards their father.
+
+"A party of Americans, and the waiter whispered to them as we passed.
+Oh, father, you are in for it!  _Now_--I told you so!  The one with the
+light hair is getting up.  She is going upstairs to bring down the
+autograph albums.  Wait till you've finished lunch, then it will
+be--`Oh, Mr Bertrand, such an honour to meet you; would you be kind
+enough to write your name in my little book?'"
+
+Mr Bertrand went through a pantomime of tearing his hair.  "Is there no
+escape?" he groaned.  "It's bad enough to be a lion in town, but I
+positively refuse to roar in the country.  I won't do it.  I have
+writer's cramp--I can't use my right hand.  Rayner, my boy, I'll turn
+them on to you!"
+
+"He is only pretending.  He is really awfully pleased and flattered.
+Wait till you see how polite he will be when they ask him," said Lettice
+mischievously; and, indeed, nothing could have been more courteous than
+Mr Bertrand's manner when the American party flocked round him in the
+hall after luncheon.
+
+"Your books are in every house in America, sir, and it gives us the
+greatest pleasure to have an opportunity of--"
+
+"Oh, come along!" whispered Norah, pulling impatiently at Edna's arm.
+"I know it all by heart.  Come into the garden, both of you; Lettice and
+I have something to tell you--an exciting piece of news!"
+
+"Kitten dead?  New ribbons for your hats?" queried Rex indifferently.
+He was sceptical on the point of Norah's "exciting confidences," but
+this time Lettice looked at him reproachfully with her great, grey eyes.
+
+"No, indeed--don't make fun--it's serious!  Miss Carr is going to adopt
+one of us to live with her in London as her own daughter, for the next
+three years."
+
+"Nonsense!"  Rex sat down in a heap on the grass, in front of the bench
+where the girls were seated.  "Which?"
+
+"Ah, that's the mystery!  She is to have her choice, and she won't say
+which it is to be until Wednesday night--two days more.  So, you see,
+you had better be polite, for you mayn't have me with you much longer."
+
+"I am always polite to you," said Rex moodily: and the statement passed
+unchallenged, for however much he might tease Norah, and snap at Hilary,
+he was always considerate for the feelings and comfort of "Lovely
+Lettice!"
+
+"Oh, Norah, Norah!  I hope it won't be you!" cried Edna, clasping her
+hands round her friend's arm in warm-hearted affection.  "What should I
+do without you?  We have been so happy, and have had such fun!  Three
+years!  What an age of a time!  We shall be quite grown-up."
+
+"Yes; and after that, father is going to take a house in London, because
+the boys will have left school, and it will be better for them.  Isn't
+it horrid to think that after to-day it may never be the same for one of
+us again?  She will only come back as a visitor, for a few weeks at a
+time, and everything will be strange and different--"
+
+"And Rex may go abroad before the end of the three years, and Hilary may
+marry--and--oh, a hundred other horrible things.  Perhaps we may never
+meet again all together like this until we are quite old and grey-
+headed.  We would write to one another, of course; stiff, proper sort of
+letters like grown-up people write.  How funny it would be!  Imagine you
+writing to me, Edna--`My dear Eleanora, you must not think my long
+silence has arisen from any want of affection towards you and yours. ...
+And how has it been with you, my valued friend?'"
+
+The burst of laughter which greeted this speech did something to liven
+the gloom which was fast settling upon the little party, and presently
+Mr Bertrand's voice was heard calling from the verandah--
+
+"Now then, children, what are we to do until four o'clock?  Do you want
+to go on the lake?"
+
+"It's no good, sir.  We could row round it in ten minutes."  This from
+Rex, with all the scorn of a young man who owned a _Una_ of his own on
+Lake Windermere.
+
+"Do you want to scramble up to the Tarn, then?  I don't.  It's too hot,
+and we should have no time to spend at the top when we got there."
+
+"Let us go to the Wishing Gate, father," suggested Norah eagerly.  "It's
+a nice walk; and I got what I wished for last summer--I did really--the
+music lessons!  I'm sure there is something in it."
+
+"Let us go then, by all means.  I have a wish of my own that I should be
+glad to settle.  Helen, will you come?"
+
+"No, thank you, Austin, I will not.  I can wish more comfortably sitting
+here in the shade of the verandah I've been once before, and I wouldn't
+drag up there this afternoon for a dozen wishes."
+
+"And Rayner--what will you--?"
+
+Mr Rayner hesitated, then, "I--er--if it's a steep pull, I think I had
+better stay where I am," he added, in cheery, decided tones, which
+brought a flush of delight to Hilary's cheeks.
+
+She turned in silence to follow her sisters, but before she had advanced
+many steps, stood still hesitating and stammering--"I--I--the sun is
+very hot.  My head--"
+
+"Well, don't come, dear, if you are afraid of head-ache.  Stay where you
+are," said her father kindly; and Miss Carr chimed in, in characteristic
+fashion--
+
+"But if you are going to chatter, be kind enough to move away to another
+seat.  I am not going to have my nap disturbed if I know it."
+
+"Come along, Miss Hilary.  Our pride won't allow us to stay after that!"
+cried Mr Rayner, picking up his crutches and leading the way across the
+lawn with suspicious alacrity; and no sooner were they seated on the
+comfortable bench than he turned a smiling face upon his companion, and
+wished to know if she were satisfied with the result of her lecture.
+
+"Entirely," said Hilary.  "It sounded brave and man-like, and put all at
+their ease.  It is always best to be honest."
+
+"It is.  I agree with you.  What about the head?"
+
+"What head?"
+
+"Ah! and is _that_ honest?  You know what I mean.  Does it ache _very_
+badly?"
+
+"N-no!  Not a bit!  I stayed behind because I preferred to--to talk to
+you," said Hilary stoutly, wishing she could prevent herself blushing in
+such a ridiculous fashion, wishing Mr Rayner would not stare at her
+quite so fixedly; happy, miserable, discomfited, triumphant, all at the
+same moment, and in the most incomprehensible fashion.
+
+"That's very satisfactory, because I like to talk to you also," he said
+gravely; and the next two hours passed so quickly that it was quite a
+shock to hear calls from the verandah, and to see the walking party
+already assembled round the tea-table.
+
+"What did you wish?" was Hilary's first question, but, with the
+exception of the Mouse, everyone refused to divulge the secret.
+
+"I wished I might have a doll's pramulator," said Geraldine gravely, and
+when Miss Carr asked if the dolls were not able to take walking
+exercise, she shook her head with pathetic remembrance.
+
+"Mabel isn't, 'cause she's only one leg.  She really had two, only one
+day, Raymond hanged her up from the ceiling, and when I sawed her, I
+cried, and pulled with my hands, and one leg earned off.  So now I want
+a pramulator."
+
+"And she shall have one, bless her! and the best that can be bought,"
+muttered Miss Carr beneath her breath; while Norah whispered eager
+questionings into her companion's ear.
+
+"You might tell me, Rex--you might!  I won't tell a soul.  What did you
+wish?"
+
+"Don't be so curious.  What does it matter to you?"
+
+"It does matter.  I want to know.  You might!  Do-oo!"
+
+"No-o!  I won't now.  There's an end of it."
+
+"Oh, Rex, look here--I've sixpence in my pocket.  I'll buy you a packet
+of gingerbread if you will."
+
+"I don't want the gingerbread.  What a girl you are!  You give a fellow
+no peace.  I didn't wish anything particular, only--"
+
+"Yes!  Yes!"
+
+"Only that she," with a nod of the head towards where Miss Carr sat
+sipping her tea--"that she might choose Hilary to live with her in
+London."
+
+"Oh-oh!  You wouldn't like it if it were Lettice?"
+
+"Of course not, neither would you."
+
+"But--but--it might be me!"
+
+"It might.  There's no saying.  I'll have another cup of tea, if you
+please," said Rex coolly.
+
+Aggravating boy!  It would be just as easy to draw water from a stone,
+as to persuade him to say anything nice and soothing to one's vanity!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
+
+MISS CARR'S CHOICE.
+
+Wednesday was a day of great, though suppressed excitement, and when
+evening came, and Miss Carr summoned the girls into the drawing-room, it
+would be difficult to say which of the three felt the more acute
+anxiety.  Mr Rayner had considerately taken himself out of the way, but
+Mr Bertrand was seated in an easy chair, his arms folded, his face
+grave and set.  Miss Carr pointed to the sofa, and the three girls sat
+down, turning inquiring eyes on her face.  It was horribly formal, and
+even Norah felt cowed and spiritless.
+
+"Girls," said Miss Carr slowly, "it was my intention to say nothing
+about my plans until I had made my decision, but it seems that your
+father has forestalled me and told you of my wishes. ...  When you were
+little children I saw a great deal of you.  Your father was one of my
+most valued friends, your dear mother also, and you were often at my
+house.  When you came here I felt a great blank in my life, for I am
+fond of young people, and like to have them about me.  Last January,
+your father visited me, and told me of a conversation which he had had
+with you here.  He was anxious about your future, and it occurred to me
+that in some slight degree I might be able to take the responsibility
+off his hands.  I have felt the need of a companion, and of some fresh
+interest in life, and nothing could give me more pleasure than to help
+one of Austin Bertrand's daughters.  Well, my dears, I spoke to your
+father: he did not like the idea at first, as you will understand, but
+in the end he gave way to my wishes, and it only remained to make my
+choice.  When I use the word `choice,' you must not imagine that I am
+consulting merely my own preference.  I have honestly tried to study the
+question from an unselfish point of view--to think which of you would
+most benefit from the change.  One consideration has influenced me of
+which I can only speak in private, but for the rest I have watched you
+carefully, and it seemed to me that two out of the three have already a
+definite interest and occupation in their lives, which is wanting in the
+other case.  Lettice has no special work in the house, no pet study to
+pursue; therefore, my dears, I choose Lettice--"
+
+There was a simultaneous exclamation of consternation.
+
+"Lettice!" cried Hilary, and drew in her breath with a pang of bitterest
+disappointment.
+
+"Lettice!  Oh, no, no, no!" cried Norah, throwing her arms round her
+favourite sister, and trembling with agitation.
+
+"My little Lettice!" echoed Mr Bertrand, with a groan of such genuine
+dismay, that Miss Carr stared at him in discomfiture.
+
+"My dear Austin--if it makes you so unhappy--"
+
+"No--no.  I gave you my word, and I am not going back.  Besides," with a
+kindly glance at the other two girls, "I should have felt the same,
+whichever way you had decided.  Well, that's settled!  I am off now,
+Helen.  We can have our talk later."
+
+He walked hastily out of the room, and Miss Carr turned back to the
+girls with a troubled expression.
+
+"My dears, I know you will both feel parting with your sister, but I
+will do all I can to soften the blow.  You can always look forward to
+meeting at Christmas and Midsummer, and I shall ask your father to bring
+you up in turns to visit us in London.  Though Lettice is to be my
+special charge, I take a deep interest in you both, and shall hope to
+put many little pleasures in your way.  And now, my dears, will you
+leave us alone for a time?  I want to have a quiet talk with Lettice
+before we part."
+
+The two girls filed out of the room, and stood in the hall, facing each
+other in silence.  Miss Briggs put her head out of the morning-room,
+with an eager--"Well--_Who_!" and when Norah pointed dolefully towards
+the drawing-room door, disappeared again with an exclamation of dismay.
+It was the same all round, Hilary told herself.  Everyone was miserable
+because Lettice had been chosen.  Everyone called out in sharp tones of
+distress, as if disappointed not to hear another name.  Mr Bertrand was
+too dear and kind for it to be possible to make a charge of favouritism
+against him, but Lettice's striking likeness to her mother seemed to
+give her a special claim to his tenderness, while as for the rest of the
+household, Miss Briggs was as wax in Lettice's hands, for the simple
+reason that she was a solitary woman, and the girl showed her those
+little outward signs of affection which make up the sweetness of life;
+while the servants would do twice as much for her as for any other
+member of the family, because, "bless her pretty face, she had such a
+way with her!"  Hilary felt indescribably chilled and humiliated as she
+realised how little regret her own departure would have caused in
+comparison, and when she spied Mr Rayner's figure crossing the lawn,
+she shrank back, with uncontrollable repugnance.  "You tell him, Norah!
+I can't.  I am going upstairs."
+
+Meanwhile, Lettice herself had not broken down, nor shown any signs of
+the emotion of a few days earlier.  She was a creature of moods, but
+though each mood was intense while it lasted, it lasted, as a rule, for
+a remarkably short space of time.  If she were in tears over a certain
+subject on Monday, it was ten to one that she had forgotten all about it
+before Thursday.  If she were wild with excitement over a new
+proposition, she would probably yawn when it was mentioned a second
+time, and find it difficult to maintain a show of interest.  So, in the
+present case, she had exhausted her distress at the idea of leaving home
+while weeping upon her father's shoulders, and ever since then the idea
+of the life in London, in Miss Carr's beautiful house, had been growing
+more and more attractive.  And to be chosen first--before all the
+others!  It was a position which was full of charm to a girl's love of
+appreciation.
+
+"Come here, dear," said Miss Carr tenderly, when the door had shut
+behind the other two girls; and when Lettice seated herself on the sofa,
+she took her hands in hers and gazed fixedly into her face.  In truth,
+it would have been difficult to find an object better worth looking at
+than "lovely Lettice" at that moment.  The hair which rippled over her
+head was of no pale, colourless flaxen, but of a rich coppery bronze,
+with half-a-dozen shades of gold in its luxuriant waves; the grey eyes
+had delicately marked brows and generous lashes, and the red lips
+drooped in sweetest curves.  The old lady's face softened as she gazed,
+until it looked very sweet and motherly.
+
+"Lettice," she said softly, "my dear little girl, I hope we shall be
+happy together!  I will do all I can for you.  Do you think you can be
+content--that you can care for me a little bit in return?"
+
+"Yes, oh yes--a great deal!"  Lettice's heart was beating so quickly
+that she hardly knew what she was saying, but it came naturally to her
+to form pretty speeches, and the glance of the lovely eyes added charm
+to her words.
+
+"I hope so--I hope so!  And now I want to tell you the reason why I
+choose you before either of your sisters.  I alluded just now to
+something which had influenced me, but which I could not mention in
+public.  It is about this that I want to speak."  Miss Carr paused for a
+few minutes, stroking the girl's soft, flexible hands.
+
+"Do you know what is meant by an `Open Sesame,' my dear?"
+
+"Oh, yes.  It is the word which Ali Baba used in the `Arabian Nights,'
+and that made the doors in the rocks fly open before him."
+
+"Yes, that is right.  I see you know all about it; but would you
+understand what I meant, dear, if I said that God had given _you_ an
+`Open Sesame' into other people's hearts and lives?"
+
+Lettice looked up quickly, surprised and awed.  "I?  No!  How have I--?"
+
+"Look in the mirror opposite!" said the old lady gravely, and the girl
+hung her head in embarrassment.
+
+"No, my dear, there is no need to blush.  If you had a talent for music,
+like Norah, you would not think it necessary to be embarrassed every
+time it was mentioned, and beauty is a gift from God, just as much as
+anything else, and ought to be valued accordingly.  It is a great power
+in the world--perhaps a greater power than anything else, and the people
+who possess it have much responsibility.  You are a beautiful girl,
+Lettice; you will be a beautiful woman; everyone you meet will be
+attracted to you, and you will have an `Open Sesame' into their hearts.
+Do you realise what that means?  It means that you will have power over
+other people's lives; that you will be able to influence them for good
+or evil; that you can succeed where others fail, and carry sunshine
+wherever you go.  But it will also be in your power to cause a great
+deal of misery.  There have been women in the world whose beauty has
+brought war and suffering upon whole nations, because they loved
+themselves most, and sacrificed everything for the gratification of
+vanity.  You are young, Lettice, and have no mother to guide you, so
+perhaps you have never thought of things in this way before.  But when I
+saw you first, I looked in your face and thought, `I should like to help
+this girl; to help her to forget herself, and think of others, so that
+she may do good and not evil, all the days of her life.'"
+
+The ready tears rose to Lettice's eyes and flowed down her cheeks.  She
+was awed and sobered, but the impression was rather pleasurable than
+otherwise.  "A beautiful woman"--"a power over
+others"--"sunshine"--"success"--the phrases rang in her ear, and the
+sound was musical.  "Of course I'll be good.  I want to be good--then
+everyone will like me," she said to herself, while she kissed and clung
+to Miss Carr, and whispered loving little words of thanks, which charmed
+the good lady's heart.
+
+For the next three days all was excitement and bustle.  Lettice's
+belongings had to be gathered together and packed, and though Miss Carr
+would hear of no new purchases, there were a dozen repairs and
+alterations which seemed absolutely necessary.  Mr Bertrand took his
+two guests about every morning, so as to leave the girls at liberty, but
+when afternoon came he drove them out willy-nilly, and organised one
+excursion after another with the double intention of amusing his
+visitors and preventing melancholy regrets.  Norah was in the depths of
+despondency; but her repinings were all for her beloved companion, and
+not for any disappointment of her own.  Now that she had the interest of
+her music lessons, and the friendship of Rex and Edna, she was unwilling
+to leave home even for the delights of London and the College of Music.
+Poor Hilary, however, was in a far worse case.  She had made so sure of
+being chosen by Miss Carr, had dreamed so many rosy dreams about the
+life before her, that the disappointment was very bitter.  The thought
+of seeing Lettice driving away in the carriage with Miss Carr and Mr
+Rayner brought with it a keen stab of pain, and the life at home seemed
+to stretch before her, still and uneventful, like a stretch of dreary
+moorland.  Her pride forbade her showing her disappointment, since no
+one had expressed any satisfaction in retaining her company.  Stay!
+there was one exception.  Mr Rayner had said a few simple words of
+regret which had been as balm to the girl's sore heart.  He, at least,
+was sorry that she was not to be in London, and would have preferred her
+company even to that of "lovely Lettice" herself.
+
+On the whole, it was almost a relief when the hour for departure
+arrived.  Rex and Edna drove over to see the last of their friend and
+cheer the stay-at-homes by their presence; but it did not seem as though
+they could be very successful in their errand of mercy, since Edna cried
+steadily behind her handkerchief, and Rex poked holes in the garden
+walks with gloomy persistence.
+
+When Mr Rayner said his good-byes, he left Hilary to the last, and held
+her hand in his a moment or two longer than was strictly necessary.
+"Good-bye, and thank you for all you have done for me.  I'll remember
+your advice. ...  We shall meet soon, I hope.  You will be coming up to
+town, and Mr Bertrand has been good enough to ask me to come again next
+spring."
+
+Next spring!  A whole year!  As well say the end of the world at once.
+Hilary felt such a swelling sense of misery that the only way in which
+she could refrain from tears was by answering in sharp, matter-of-fact
+tones, and the consciousness that Mr Rayner was surprised and hurt by
+her manner was part of the general misery against which it was useless
+to fight.
+
+As for Lettice, she was fairly dissolved in tears--clinging to every one
+in turn--and sobbing out despairing farewells.  "Oh, Norie, Norie! my
+heart will break!  I shall die; I know I shall.  I can never bear it.
+Oh, Mouse, don't forget me!  Don't let her forget me!  Oh, do write--
+everyone write!  I shall _live_ on the letters from home!"
+
+The last glimpse was of a tear-stained face, and a handkerchief held
+aloft in such a drenched condition that it refused to open to the
+breeze, and when the carriage turned the corner Miss Briggs shuffled off
+to the schoolroom, Hilary ran off to her room upstairs, leaving the
+three young people in the porch staring at each other with a miserable
+realisation of loss.
+
+"What shall I do?--what shall I do?  She said _her_ heart would be
+broken, but it is ten times worse for me!  The house will seem so
+dreadfully bare and lonely!"
+
+"Just when we were all so happy!  Oh, that hateful Miss Carr! why did
+she ever come?  I thought we were going to have such a h-appy summer,"
+sobbed Edna dolefully.  "It's always the way!  As soon as I make
+friends, I am bound to lose them."
+
+Rex put his hands into his pockets and began to whistle.  "It will do no
+good to turn yourselves into a couple of fountains!  I'll go for a walk,
+and come back when you've done crying.  It's a nuisance, but it might
+have been worse," he said shortly, and Norah looked at him with a gleam
+of curiosity lighting up her poor, tear-stained eyes.
+
+"How worse?  What do you mean?" she inquired; but Rex did not deign to
+answer, or to have anything more to say until tea was served a couple of
+hours later.  The tears to which he so much objected were dried by this
+time, but the conversation was still sorrowfully centred on the dear
+traveller.  "What is she doing now?  Poor, poor Lettice! she will cry
+herself ill.  Every mile further from home will make her more wretched!"
+cried Norah, and the listeners groaned in sympathy.
+
+If they had seen Miss Lettice at that moment, however, their fears would
+have been allayed.  Miss Carr had changed into a corridor train at
+Preston, and her companion was charmed with the novel position.  She had
+never before travelled in a corridor, and the large, open carriage, the
+view, the promenade up and down, were all fascinating to her
+inexperience.  Then to have lunch, and afternoon tea just when the
+journey was beginning to drag--it was indeed a luxurious way of
+travelling!  Lettice had ceased to cry before the train had reached
+Kendal; at Lancaster she began to smile; at Crewe she laughed so merrily
+at one of Miss Carr's sallies, that the people on the next seat turned
+to look at her with smiles of admiring interest.  Everyone was "so nice
+and kind."  It was a pleasure to see them.  Clearwater was a dear, sweet
+place, but, after all, it was only a poky little village.  Delightful to
+get away and see something of the world!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
+
+AFTER THREE YEARS.
+
+Three years had passed away since Lettice Bertrand had bidden farewell
+to her Northern home and accompanied Miss Carr to London, but there was
+little sign of change in the big drawing-room at Kensington, or in the
+mistress herself, as she sat reading a magazine by the window one sunny
+June afternoon.  When the purse is well lined it is easy to prevent
+signs of age so far as furniture and decorations are concerned, while
+the lapse of three years makes little difference in the appearance of a
+lady who has long passed middle age.  Miss Carr looked very contented
+and comfortable as she lay back against the cushions of her easy chair,
+so comfortable that she groaned with annoyance as the servant came
+forward to announce a visitor, and the frown did not diminish when she
+heard the name.
+
+"Oh, ask Mr Newcome to come up, Baker!  I will see him here."  The man
+disappeared, and she threw down the magazine with an exclamation of
+disgust.  "That stolid young man!  Now I shall have to listen to
+improving anecdotes for the next half-hour.  Why in the world need he
+inflict himself upon me?"
+
+The next moment the door opened and the "`stolid' young man" stood
+before her.  So far as appearance went, however, the description was
+misleading, for Arthur Newcome was tall and handsome, with yellow hair,
+a good moustache, and strong, well set up figure.  He came forward and
+shook hands with Miss Carr in a quick, nervous fashion, which was so
+unlike his usual stolid demeanour, that the good lady stared at him in
+amazement.
+
+"He is actually animated!  I always said that it would take a convulsion
+of nature to rouse him from his deadly propriety, but upon my word he
+looks excited.  What can have happened?"
+
+The laws of propriety do not always permit us to ask the questions
+nearest our hearts, however, and Miss Carr was obliged to content
+herself with commonplaces.
+
+"It is a beautiful day.  I suppose Madge got home safely last night?
+She isn't too tired after the picnic, I hope!"
+
+"A little fatigued, I believe, but no doubt she will have recovered
+before evening.  She is apt to get excited on these occasions and to
+exert herself unduly."
+
+"Nobody can say the same of you, more's the pity," was Miss Carr's
+mental comment.  "Madge rows very well, and the exercise will do her no
+harm," she said shortly, and relapsed into determined silence.  "I
+suppose he has something to say, some message for Lettice most likely;
+better let him say it and take himself off as soon as possible," was her
+hospitable reflection; but Mr Newcome sat twirling his hat and studying
+the pattern of the carpet in embarrassed silence.
+
+Three times over did he clear his throat and open his lips to speak,
+before he got the length of words.
+
+"Miss Carr, I--er, I feel that I am--er--I am deeply sensible of my own
+unworthiness, and can only rely on your generosity, and assure you of my
+deep and sincere--"
+
+"What in the name of all that is mysterious is the man driving at?"
+asked Miss Carr of herself; but she sat bolt upright in her seat, with a
+flush on her cheeks and a pang of vague, indefinite fear at her heart.
+
+"My dear Mr Newcome, speak plainly, if you please!  I cannot follow
+your meaning.  In what respect are you a claimant for my generosity?"
+
+"In respect of what is the most important question of my life," replied
+Mr Newcome, recovering his self-possession at last, and looking her
+full in the face, in what she was obliged to confess was a very manly
+fashion--"In respect to my love for your ward, Miss Bertrand, and my
+desire to have your consent to our engagement, to ratify her own
+promise."
+
+"Her own promise!  Your engagement!  Lettice?  Do you mean to tell me
+that you have proposed to Lettice and that she has accepted you?"
+
+"I am happy to say that is my meaning.  I had intended to consult you in
+the first instance, but yesterday, on the river, we were together, and
+I--I--"
+
+He stopped short with a smile of tender recollection, and Miss Carr sat
+gazing at him in consternation.
+
+Arthur Newcome had proposed to Lettice, and Lettice had accepted him.
+The thing was incomprehensible!  The girl had showed not the slightest
+signs of preference, had seemed as gay and heart-whole as a child.  Only
+a fortnight before she had convulsed Miss Carr with laughter by putting
+on Mr Rayner's top-coat, and paying an afternoon call, _a la_ Arthur
+Newcome, when all that young gentleman's ponderous proprieties had been
+mimicked with merciless fidelity.  And she had actually promised to
+marry him!
+
+"I--excuse me--but are you quite sure that you understood Lettice
+aright?  Are you sure you are not mistaken?"
+
+Mr Newcome smiled with happy certainty.
+
+"Quite sure, Miss Carr.  I can understand your surprise, for I find it
+difficult to believe in my own good fortune.  Lettice is the sweetest,
+most beautiful, and most charming girl in the world.  I am not worthy of
+her notice, but there is nothing that I would not do to ensure her
+happiness.  She is all the world to me.  I have loved her from the day
+we first meet."
+
+He was in earnest--horribly in earnest!  His voice quivered with
+emotion, his eyes were shining, and his face, which was usually
+immovable, was radiant with happiness.  Miss Carr looked at him, and her
+heart fell.  If the mere thought of Lettice could alter the man in this
+manner, she could imagine the transformation which must have passed over
+him as he spoke to the girl herself, among the trees and flowers on the
+river-bank; and, alas for Lettice! she could imagine also how easily
+gratified vanity might have been mistaken for reciprocal love.  It had
+been late when they returned from the water party the night before, and
+Lettice had hurried off to bed.  She had been a trifle more lingering
+than usual in her good-night embrace, but Lettice was always
+demonstrative in her ways, so that the fact had attracted no attention,
+and the morning had been so full of engagements that there had been no
+time for private conferences.
+
+Miss Carr was speechless with grief, disappointment, and dismay.  Her
+anxious training for the last three years, her motherly oversight, her
+hopes and prayers for the welfare of her beloved child, had they all
+ended in this, that Lettice had been too selfish to discourage
+admiration which she could not return?--too weak to say no to the first
+man who approached with flattering words?  Poor, foolish child!  What
+misery she had prepared for herself and everyone belonging to her!--for
+of course it was all a mistake, her heart was not really touched; the
+engagement could not be allowed.  With a sigh of relief Miss Carr
+reflected that the onus of responsibility was lifted off her shoulders
+by the fact of Mr Bertrand's arrival in town that very afternoon, and
+also that Lettice's engagements for the day would prevent a meeting
+until she had been able to consult with her father.  She drew a long
+sigh, and her voice sounded both sad and tired as she replied--
+
+"Ah, well!  I am only Lettice's guardian in name, Mr Newcome; I have no
+authority to refuse or to sanction her engagement.  I have had a
+telegram to say that Mr Bertrand is coming to town on business to-day,
+so you will be able to see him to-morrow and hear what he has to say.
+Lettice is very young--too young, in my opinion, to be able to know her
+own mind.  I wish there had been no such questions to disturb her for
+the next two or three years.  I don't know what Mr Bertrand will
+think."
+
+"I am in a good position.  I can provide a name that will not be
+unworthy of her.  You know me and my family.  We have been friends for
+years.  She would have the warmest welcome--"
+
+"Yes, yes, I am sure of that.  I will tell Mr Bertrand all you say, Mr
+Newcome, and if you call to-morrow morning you will find him at home.
+In the afternoon he will probably be engaged.  I can say nothing, and--
+Excuse me!  I am not so young as I was, and I feel a good deal upset..."
+
+Arthur Newcome rose at once, and held out his hand in farewell.
+
+"Pray pardon me.  I can understand your sentiments.  It must be a shock
+to think of losing Lettice in any case, and I am aware that I am not
+what is called a good match.  Such a beautiful girl--her father's
+daughter, your ward--might marry into any circle.  I sympathise with
+your disappointment; but, believe me, Lettice should never have any
+reason to regret her choice.  I would devote my life to securing her
+happiness.  I will call to-morrow morning, then, with your permission.
+Eleven o'clock?  Thank you!  Pray pardon any distress I may have caused
+you, and think of me as indulgently as you can."
+
+He left the room, and Miss Carr raised both hands to her head with a
+gesture of despair.
+
+"He is all that he should be--humble, devoted, deferential--but oh,
+Lettice! my poor, dear child, what a mistake you have made!  You would
+eat your heart out in a year's time, married to a man whom you do not
+love; and you don't love Arthur Newcome, I know you don't--it is all
+vanity, and weakness, and imagination.  Poor Austin, what a welcome for
+him!  A nice pill for me to have such a piece of news to tell--I, who
+was going to do such wonders for the child!  Well, well! this comes of
+mixing oneself up in other people's affairs.  She could have come to no
+worse fate than this if I had left her to vegetate in Clearwater."
+
+There was no more rest for Miss Carr that afternoon.  The magazine lay
+neglected on the table, the cushions fell to the ground and lay
+unnoticed as she fidgeted about, now rising and pacing angrily to and
+fro, now throwing herself on a seat in weary despair.  She alternately
+longed for and dreaded Mr Bertrand's arrival, and it needed all her
+self-control to keep up a semblance of cheerfulness while he drank his
+tea and refreshed himself after the long journey.  It was not easy,
+however, to deceive such an intimate friend.  Mr Bertrand studied her
+face with critical eyes, and said kindly--
+
+"You are not up to the mark, Helen; you look tired and worried!  That
+youngster of mine has not been misbehaving herself, I hope?  What's the
+trouble?"
+
+"Oh, Austin, the deluge!  The most awful complication.  I feel inclined
+to whip her!  Would you believe it, that wooden Arthur Newcome called
+upon me this very afternoon, not two hours ago, to ask my consent to his
+engagement to Lettice!"
+
+"Arthur Newcome?  Oh, I know--the solemn person in the frock coat!  What
+preposterous nonsense!  Lettice is a baby!  We must not let the young
+people at home hear of this, or they will tease the poor girl to death.
+Young Newcome is a favourite butt, and they often mimic him for my
+benefit.  Well, I hope you let the poor fellow down gently, and saved me
+a disagreeable task."
+
+"But--but, my dear Austin, you don't understand.  He cannot be dismissed
+in that easy fashion, for he says--it is inconceivable--I don't know
+what to make of it--but he tells me that he has spoken to Lettice
+herself, and that she has accepted him!"
+
+"What?"  Mr Bertrand put down his cup and turned to confront Miss Carr
+with a face from which every trace of laughter had disappeared.
+"Accepted him?  Lettice?  This is serious indeed.  Had you ever
+suspected--or noticed any sign of an attachment growing up between
+them?"
+
+Miss Carr wrung her hands in distress.
+
+"My dear Austin, how can you ask such a question?  As if I would not
+have consulted with you at once if that had been the case.  You know
+what Arthur Newcome is--the acme of all that is sober and stolid.  I
+have never seen a sign of emotion of any kind on his face until this
+afternoon.  He has seen a good deal of Lettice, for she and Madge are
+great friends, but I never thought of anything more--never for one
+moment!  And as for Lettice herself, I am confident that the child never
+thought of him in that light, and that she is as heart-whole as I am
+myself."
+
+"Then why--why--?"
+
+"Oh, don't ask me!  I am too miserable and disappointed to speak.  I
+thought I had guarded against this sort of thing; but you know what
+Lettice is.  He is very much in love, and no doubt she was pleased and
+flattered."
+
+Mr Bertrand thrust his hands into his pockets and paced up and down the
+room.  His face looked drawn and anxious, but after five minutes had
+passed he drew a long breath and made a determined effort at
+cheerfulness.
+
+"Well, it's a bad business, but it has to be faced.  I am humiliated and
+disappointed that Lettice could have behaved so foolishly; but you must
+not blame yourself, my dear old friend.  No one could have done more for
+the child for the last three years, and I am glad I am here to help you
+through this difficulty.  The young fellow will have to be told that
+there has been a mistake.  I am sorry for him, but it is better now than
+later on.  When did you say you expected Lettice?"
+
+"She may be here at any moment.  She was to leave her friends at six
+o'clock.  I thought I heard the door open just now.  Perhaps she has
+arrived."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
+
+LETTICE IS OBSTINATE.
+
+Miss Carr's surmise proved correct, for even as she spoke the door
+opened and Lettice appeared on the threshold.  No longer the Lettice of
+short skirts and flowing locks, but an elegant young lady who swept
+forward with a rustle of silken skirts, and held up the sweetest pink
+and white face in the world to receive her father's kiss of greeting.
+"Lovely Lettice," indeed, lovelier than ever in the first bloom of
+womanhood.  As her father held her from him at arm's length, the slim
+figure was almost as tall as his own, and the golden head dropped before
+the grave, scrutinising glance.  Lettice knew that her lover had called
+during her absence, and Miss Carr's silence, her father's unusual
+solemnity, added to her natural nervousness.  The grey eyes roved from
+one face to another with a scared, helpless look which they were quick
+to understand.
+
+"Yes," said Mr Bertrand, "we know all about it by this time, Lettice.
+Mr Newcome has interviewed Miss Carr.  She was intensely surprised; I
+also; but she has had more opportunity of seeing you together, and she
+tells me that you have shown no special signs of interest in this young
+fellow.  Tell me, my dear--speak frankly, we are only thinking of your
+happiness--have you allowed yourself to be persuaded against your own
+judgment?  It is a pity if that is the case, but it can be remedied.
+There is no engagement as yet, and I can easily explain to Mr Newcome
+that you have made a mistake."
+
+Lettice had seated herself opposite her father and busied herself
+pulling off her long suede gloves.  She avoided her father's glance, but
+the answer came in a little, breathless gasp--"Oh, no, no!  I don't
+want--"
+
+"No--you say _no_?  Lettice, this is a serious matter.  Do you mean to
+tell me that you love Arthur Newcome, and wish to marry him?  Think
+well, my dear.  You know what it means--that you are content to spend
+your life with this man, to give up everything for him, to say good-bye
+to friends and relations--"
+
+"Father, Miss Carr is here; you are all coming up for the winter; he
+lives here.  I should not have to leave you!"
+
+"You can't count on that, Lettice.  Mr Newcome's business arrangements
+might make it necessary for him to leave London at any time, and it
+would be your duty to follow.  Do you care for him enough to make such a
+sacrifice?  If you love him you will not hesitate; but _do_ you love
+him?  That is what I want to hear!  Come, Lettice, speak; I am waiting
+for your answer."
+
+"I--I--father, I do like him!  I promised I would.  I think he is very
+kind!"
+
+The two elders exchanged glances of baffled helplessness.  There was
+silence for a few minutes, then Mr Bertrand seated himself by Lettice's
+side and took her hand in his.
+
+"My dear little girl, let us understand each other.  Of course he is
+`kind'; of course you `like him,' but that is not enough; you must do
+something more than `like' the man who is to be your husband.  Do you
+care for him more than for me and Miss Carr, and your sisters and
+brothers all together?  If he were on one side of the scale and we on
+the other, which would you choose?  That is the way to face the
+question.  You must not be satisfied with less.  My dear, you are very
+young yet; I think you had better let me tell Mr Newcome that he is not
+to mention this matter again for the next two years, until you are
+twenty-one.  By that time you will know your own mind, and, if you still
+wished it, I should have no more to say.  You would be willing to leave
+it in that way, wouldn't you, dear?"
+
+But Lettice did not look at all willing.  She drew her hand away from
+her father's grasp, and turned her shoulder on him with a pettish
+gesture which was strangely unlike her usual sweet demeanour.
+
+"Why should I wait?  There is nothing to wait for!  I thought you would
+be pleased.  It's very unkind to spoil it all!  Other girls are happy
+when they are engaged, and people are kind to them.  You might let me be
+happy too--"
+
+Mr Bertrand sat bolt upright in his seat, staring at his daughter with
+incredulous eyes.  Could it be possible that the girl was in earnest
+after all, that she was really attached to this most heavy and
+unattractive young man?  He looked appealingly at his old friend, who,
+so far, had taken no part in the conversation, and she took pity on his
+embarrassment and came to the rescue.  Two years' constant companionship
+with Lettice had shown her that there was a large amount of obstinacy
+hidden beneath the sweetness of manner, and for the girl's sake, as well
+as her father's, she thought the present interview had better come to an
+end.
+
+"Suppose you go to the library and have a smoke, Austin, while Lettice
+and I have a quiet talk together," she said soothingly, and Mr Bertrand
+shrugged his shoulders with a gesture of nervous irritation, and strode
+from the room.
+
+No sooner had the door closed behind him than Lettice produced a little
+lace-edged handkerchief from her pocket, and began to sob and cry.
+
+"Father is cruel; why won't he believe me?  Why may I not get engaged
+like other girls?  I am nineteen.  I was so happy--and now I'm
+miserable!"
+
+"Come here, Lettice, and for pity's sake, child, stop crying, and behave
+like a reasonable creature.  There are one or two questions I want to
+ask you.  How long have you known that Arthur Newcome was in love with
+you?"
+
+"I don't know.  At least, he was always nice.  That summer at
+Windermere, he always walked with me, and brought me flowers, and--"
+
+"That was three years ago--the summer you came to me.  So long as that!
+But, Lettice, whatever your feelings may be now, you have certainly not
+cared for him up to a very recent period.  I don't need to remind you of
+the manner in which you have spoken about him.  When you saw that lit;
+was growing attached to you, did you try to show that you did not
+appreciate his attentions?"
+
+Lettice bent her head and grew crimson over cheek and neck.
+
+"I was obliged to be polite!  He was always with Madge, and I did
+like--"
+
+Miss Carr shut her lips in tight displeasure.
+
+"Yes, my dear, you `liked' his attentions, and you were too vain and
+selfish to put an end to them, though you did not care for the man
+himself.  Oh, Lettice, this is what I have feared! this is what I have
+tried to prevent!  My poor, foolish child, what trouble you have brought
+upon us all!  Arthur Newcome will have every reason to consider himself
+badly treated; his people will take his part; you will have alienated
+your best friends."
+
+"I am not going to treat him badly.  You are very unkind.  _He_ would
+not be unkind to me.  I wish he were here, I do!  He would not let you
+be so cruel."  And Lettice went off into a paroxysm of sobbing, while
+Miss Carr realised sorrowfully that she had made a false move.
+
+"My dear child, you know very well I don't mean to be cruel.  I am too
+anxious for your happiness.  Lettice, Mr Newcome is very much in love
+just now, and is excited and moved out of himself; but though he may not
+be less devoted to you, in the course of time he will naturally fall
+back into his old quiet ways.  When you think of a life with him, you
+must not imagine him as he was yesterday, but as you have seen him at
+home any time during the last three years.  You have mimicked him to me
+many times over, my dear.  Can you now feel content to spend your life
+in his company?"
+
+It was of no use.  Lettice would do nothing but sob and cry, reiterate
+that everyone was unkind, that she was miserable, that it was a shame
+that she could not be happy like other girls, until at last Miss Carr,
+in despair, sent her upstairs to her bedroom, and went to rejoin Mr
+Bertrand.
+
+"Well?" he said, stopping short in his pacings up and down, and
+regarding her with an anxious gaze, "what luck?"
+
+Miss Carr gave a gesture of impatience.
+
+"Oh, none--none at all!  She will do nothing but cry and make a martyr
+of herself.  She will not acknowledge that she has made a mistake, and
+yet I know, I feel, it is not the right thing!  You must speak to Arthur
+Newcome yourself to-morrow, and try to make him consent to a few months'
+delay."
+
+"I was thinking of that myself.  I'll try for six, but he won't consent.
+I can't say I should myself under the circumstances.  When Lettice has
+accepted him and cries her eyes out at the idea of giving him up, you
+can hardly expect the young fellow to be patient.  Heigho, these
+daughters!  A nice time of it I have before me, with four of them on my
+hands."
+
+Punctually at eleven o'clock next morning Arthur Newcome arrived for his
+interview with Mr Bertrand.  They were shut up together for over half-
+an-hour, then Mr Bertrand burst open the door of the room where Miss
+Carr and his daughter were seated, and addressed the latter in tones of
+irritation such as she had seldom heard from those kindly lips.
+
+"Lettice, go to the drawing-room and see Mr Newcome.  He will tell you
+what we have arranged.  In ten minutes from now, come back to me here."
+
+Lettice dropped her work and glided out of the room, white and noiseless
+as a ghost, and her father clapped his hands together in impatience.
+
+"Bah, what a man!  He drives me distracted!  To think that fate should
+have been so perverse as to saddle me with a fellow like that for a son-
+in-law!  Oh dear, yes, perfectly polite, and all that was proper and
+well-conducted, but I have no chance against him--none!  I lose my head
+and get excited, and he is so abominably cool.  He will wait a month as
+a concession to my wishes before making the engagement public, and
+during that time she is to be left alone.  He is neither to come here,
+nor to write to her, and we will say nothing about it at home, so that
+there may be as little unpleasantness as possible if it ends as we hope
+it may.  I had really no decent objection to make when he questioned me
+on the subject.  He is in a good position; his people are all we could
+wish; his character irreproachable.  He wishes to be married in the
+autumn, and if he persists I shall have to give in; I know I shall--you
+might as well try to fight with a stone wall."
+
+"Autumn!" echoed Miss Carr in dismay.  "Autumn!  Oh, my poor Lettice! my
+poor, dear child!  But we have a month, you say; a great deal may be
+done in a month.  Ah, well, Austin, we must just hope for the best, and
+do everything in our power to prevent an engagement."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
+
+LETTICE DECIDES.
+
+For the next month, Lettice saw nothing of Arthur Newcome.  He had
+packed up his traps and gone to spend the weeks of probation in Norway,
+where he would be out of the way of temptation, and have his mind
+distracted by novel surroundings.
+
+No such change, however, fell to Lettice's share.  Mr Bertrand would
+not allow the ordinary summer visit to Clearwater to be anticipated.  He
+had forbidden Lettice to mention the proposed engagement to her sisters
+as he was sanguine that a month's reflection would be more than enough
+to convince the girl of her mistake, when the less that was known about
+the matter the better for all concerned.  As Arthur Newcome was out of
+town he could see no objection to Lettice remaining where she was, and
+Miss Carr agreed the more readily in this decision as she had made a
+number of engagements which it would have been difficult to forego.
+Both were thinking only of the girl's welfare; but alas! the best-
+meaning people make mistakes at times, and this arrangement was the most
+unfortunate which could have been made, considering the object which
+they had in view.  Lettice had nothing to distract her mind from the
+past, no novelty of any kind to keep her from dwelling on the gratifying
+remembrance of Arthur Newcome's devotion.  On the contrary, her life was
+less bright than usual, for the Newcomes were naturally displeased at
+Mr Bertrand's objections to the engagement, and would not hold any
+communication with Miss Carr's household until the matter was decided.
+Thus Lettice was deprived of the society of her best friend, and was
+forbidden the house in which she had been accustomed to spend her
+happiest hours.
+
+Miss Carr did her best to provide interest and amusement, but there was
+a constraint between the old lady and her ward, which was as new as it
+was painful.  Lettice was conscious that she was in disgrace.  When her
+father fumed and fidgeted about the room, she guessed, without being
+told, that he was thinking of the proposed engagement; when Miss Carr
+sighed, and screwed up her face until it looked nothing but a network of
+wrinkles, she knew that the old lady was blaming herself for negligence
+in the past, and pondering what could still be done to avert the
+marriage, and a most unpleasant knowledge it was.  Lettice had lived all
+her life in the sunshine of approval.  As a little child everyone had
+petted and praised her because of her charming looks; as a schoolgirl
+she had reigned supreme among her fellows; her short experience of
+society had shown that she had no less power in the new sphere.  Cold
+looks and reproachful glances were a new experience, and instead of
+moving her to repentance, they had the effect of making her think
+constantly of her lover, and long more and more for his return.  Miss
+Carr thought she was vain and selfish--Arthur said she was the best and
+sweetest of women; her father called her a "foolish little girl"--Arthur
+called her his queen and goddess; Miss Carr sat silent the whole of the
+afternoon, sighing as if her heart was broken--Arthur had walked across
+London many times over for the chance of a passing word.  Other people
+were disappointed in her, but Arthur declared that she was perfect,
+without possibility of improvement!  Lettice would take refuge in the
+solitude of her bedroom, cry to herself, and look out of the window
+wondering in which direction Norway lay, what Arthur was doing, and if
+he were half as miserable at being separated from her as she was at
+being left alone in London.  Then she would recall the afternoon on the
+river, when he had asked her to be his wife.  How terribly in earnest he
+had seemed.  She had tried to say no, because, though she enjoyed his
+attentions, she had never really intended to marry him; but the sight of
+his face had frightened her, and when he had said in that awful voice,
+"Lettice, do you mean it?  Is there no hope?  Have you been making a
+fool of me for all these years?"--she had been ready to promise anything
+and everything in the world if he would only smile again.  And he had
+been very "kind."  It was "nice" being engaged.  She had been quite
+happy until her father came, and was so cross.
+
+If Miss Carr could have been her own cheery, loving self, and talked to
+the girl in a natural, kindly manner, still better, if she could have
+had half-an-hour's conversation with outspoken Norah, all might have
+been well; but Miss Carr was under the mistaken impression that it was
+her duty to show her disapproval by every act and look, and the result
+was disastrous.  Every morning Lettice awoke with the doleful question,
+"How am I to get through the day?"  Every night she went to bed hugging
+the thought that another milestone had been passed, and that the
+probation was nearer to its end.  By the end of the month her friends'
+efforts had so nearly succeeded in making her honestly in love with
+Arthur Newcome, that they marked the girl's bright eyes and happy
+smiles, and told each other sadly that it was no use standing out
+further.
+
+Arthur Newcome wrote to Mr Bertrand announcing his arrival in London,
+and asking permission to call and receive his answer from Lettice's
+lips, and there was nothing to do but to consent forthwith.  An hour was
+appointed for the next afternoon, and Lettice spent an unconscionable
+time in her bedroom preparing for the great occasion, and trying to
+decide in which of her dainty garments Arthur would like her best.  Her
+father had taken himself into the City after a conversation in which he
+had come perilously near losing his temper, and when Lettice floated
+into the drawing-room, all pale green muslin and valenciennes insertion,
+looking more like an exquisite wood nymph than a creature of common
+flesh and blood, there sat Miss Carr crying her eyes out on a corner of
+the ottoman.
+
+"Oh, Lettice, Lettice! is it too late?  Won't you listen to reason even
+at the eleventh hour?  It is the greatest folly to enter into this
+engagement.  Never were two people more unsuited to each other!  You
+will regret it all your life.  My poor, dear child, you are wrecking
+your own happiness..."
+
+It was too bad!  For almost the first time in her life Lettice felt a
+throb of actual anger.  She had been docile and obedient, had consented
+to be separated from Arthur for a whole month, and done all in her power
+to satisfy these exacting people, and even now they would not believe
+her--they would not allow her to be happy.  She stood staring at Miss
+Carr in silence, until the servant threw open the door and announced her
+lover's arrival.
+
+"Mr Newcome, ma'am.  I have shown him into the morning-room as you
+desired."
+
+Lettice turned without a word and ran swiftly downstairs to the room
+where Arthur Newcome was waiting for her in painful anxiety.  For three
+long years he had tried to win the girl's heart, and had failed to gain
+a sign of affection.  Her acceptance had been won after a struggle, and
+he was racked with suspense as to the effect of this month's separation.
+When the door opened, Lettice saw him standing opposite, his tall
+figure drawn up to its full height, his handsome face pale with the
+intensity of his emotion.
+
+She gave a quick glance, then rushed forward and nestled into his arms
+with a little cry of joy.
+
+"Oh, Arthur, Arthur! you have come back!  Take care of me!  Take care of
+me!  I have been so miserable!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINETEEN.
+
+THE SCATTERED NEST.
+
+Two days later a happy party were disporting themselves on the lawn at
+Cloudsdale.  Rex and Edna Freer had driven over to spend the afternoon
+with their friends, and just as Mary placed the tea-tray on the wicker
+table, the postman came marching up the drive, and delivered the only
+thing which was necessary to complete the happiness of the party--a
+letter from Lettice!
+
+"She has written so little lately, and her letters have been so unlike
+herself, that I have been quite uneasy," said Hilary, turning the
+envelope round and round, and feeling its proportions with undisguised
+pleasure.  "I'll give you each a cup of tea, and then I'll read it out,
+while you listen in comfort."
+
+The three years which had passed since we saw her last had dealt very
+kindly with Hilary.  The consequential air had given place to an
+expression of quiet serenity which was by no means unbecoming.  Her
+complexion was pink and white as of yore, and as she presided over the
+tea-table, her blue cambric dress fitting closely to the line of her
+neat little figure, her tiny feet crossed before her, and her shining
+brown hair arranged in its usual fastidious order, it would have been
+difficult to find a more favourable specimen of a young English girl.
+Norah, seated opposite on the long hammock chair, was still very girlish
+in appearance, despite the dignity of eighteen years.  She was thin and
+lanky, and her cheeks had none of Hilary's delicate bloom, but the heavy
+eyebrows and expressive lips lent a charm to a face which was never the
+same in expression for two minutes together, and though there could be
+no question as to which was the prettier of the two, it was safe to
+predict that few people who looked at Norah would be tempted to return
+to the study of Hilary's more commonplace features.
+
+Edna was narrow-chested and delicate in appearance, but Rex had
+developed into an imposing looking personage; broad-shouldered,
+muscular, and with such a moustache as was unequalled by any young
+fellow of his age in the country-side.  He wore a white flannel suit,
+and though there were several unoccupied seats at hand, chose to loll on
+the grass, his long legs stretched out before him, his blue cap pushed
+well back on his curly head.  Nestled beside him sat Geraldine, a little
+taller, a little older in appearance, but with the same grave, earnest
+little face which had characterised her three years before.  Perhaps the
+member of the family who was the most changed, was the tall, young
+fellow who sat beside Norah.  Raymond had only lately returned from a
+two years' sojourn in Germany, where he had acquired an extra four
+inches, a pair of eye-glasses, and such "a man of the world" manner,
+that it had been a shock to his sisters to find that his teasing
+propensities were as vigorous as when he had been a schoolboy.  Faithful
+Bob hovered near, ready to obey his leader's commands, and take part in
+any mischief which might be at hand, but for the moment all other
+interests gave way to the hearing of the letter from London.
+
+Hilary handed the last cup to its owner, and opening the envelope, ran
+her eye rapidly down the sheet.  The next moment a loud "Oh!" of
+amazement startled the hearers into eager curiosity.
+
+"What is the matter?"
+
+"Oh--oh!  It can't be true--it can't!  Lettice is engaged to be
+married!"
+
+"_Engaged_!"  A moment's breathless silence was succeeded by a very
+babel of questioning.
+
+"Engaged?"  "Who to?"  "When?"  "Where."  "What does she say?"  "Oh,
+read it aloud.  Let us hear every word she says!"
+
+But Hilary folded up the sheet with an air of determination.  "Not yet.
+I'll read it by-and-by; but first you must guess.  I'll give you fifty
+guesses who it is..."
+
+"The painter fellow who did her portrait!"
+
+"That what-do-you-call-him man--the Polish nobleman who sent her the
+verses!"
+
+"The curate!"
+
+"Sir Neville Bruce!"
+
+"One of the men she met at Brighton!"
+
+"Wrong! wrong! wrong!  Guess again.  Nearer home this time.  Someone you
+know!"
+
+"Not Mr Rayner?"
+
+"Oh, dear me, no!  I should think not.  He and Lettice never get on well
+together.  Someone else."
+
+"Someone we know!  But we know so few of her friends.  Only Mr Neville,
+and the Bewleys, and--_oh_!  No, it can't--it can't possibly be--"
+
+"What? what?  Who--who?  Never mind if you are wrong.  Say whom you are
+thinking of."
+
+"It--_can't_ be Arthur Newcome!"
+
+"Arthur Newcome it is, my dear!" said Hilary tragically; whereupon
+Raymond instantly dropped his teacup on the grass, and fell heavily on
+Norah's shoulders.
+
+"Smelling salts!  Brandy!  I am going to faint!  Oh, my heart!"
+
+But, for once, no one paid any attention.  Even Norah sat motionless,
+forgetting to push him away, forgetting everything but the appalling
+nature of the news which she had just heard.
+
+"Lettice--is--engaged--to--Arthur Newcome?"
+
+"Lettice--is--engaged--to--Arthur Newcome!"
+
+"But--but--we knew that he admired her in his solemn way, but she never
+seemed to like him!  She used to make fun of him, and imitate the way he
+talked!"
+
+Raymond sat up and passed in his cup for a fresh supply of tea.  What
+was the good of fainting if nobody took any notice!  "I say," he cried
+energetically, "fancy Arthur Newcome proposing!  I'd give anything if I
+could have overheard him. ...  `Miss Bertrand!--Lettice!--may I call you
+Lettice?  Deign, oh deign--'"
+
+"Oh, be quiet, Raymond, and let us hear the letter," pleaded Norah, who
+was on the verge of tears with agitation and distress.  "I can't believe
+it until I hear her own words.  Read it, Hilary, from the very
+beginning."
+
+Hilary opened out the dainty, scented sheet, and read aloud, with an
+impressiveness worthy of the occasion:--
+
+"My dearest old Hilary, and Norah, and every one of you,--I have a great
+piece of news to tell.  I am engaged to Arthur Newcome, and he wants to
+be married some time this autumn.  He proposed to me a month ago, on the
+day of our water party, but father and Miss Carr wished us to wait a
+month before it was settled, so that I should have time to make up my
+mind.  They think I am so young, but if we wait until September I shall
+be twenty, and many girls are married at that age.  I have a beautiful
+ring--a big pearl in the centre, and diamonds all round, and Arthur has
+given me a brooch as well, three dear little diamond swallows--it looks
+so sweet at my neck!  Madge is very pleased, of course, and Mr and Mrs
+Newcome are very kind.  Won't it be nice when I have a house of my own,
+and you can come and stay with me?  I shall have six bridesmaids--you
+three, Madge, Edna, and either Mabel Bruce or Monica Bewley.  You must
+think of pretty dresses.  I like a white wedding, but it doesn't show
+the bride off so well--that's the great objection.  We shall have a
+great deal to talk about when I come home next month, and I am longing
+for the time to come.  It is so hot and close in town, and Cloudsdale
+must be looking lovely just now.  Father expects to leave on Tuesday.
+He does not seem very pleased about my engagement.  I suppose parents
+never are!  Good-bye, dear, darling girls.  I wish I could be with you
+now.
+
+"Your own loving Lettice.
+
+"PS--How surprised you will be.  Tell me every word you said when you
+read this letter!"
+
+"Humph I slightly awkward if we took her at her word!"  It was Rex who
+spoke, and there was the same expression of ill-concealed scorn in his
+voice which had been noticeable on his face since the announcement of
+the news.  "Charming epistle, I must say.  So much about `dear Arthur'
+and her own happiness.  One must excuse a little gush under the
+circumstances, and Lettice was always demonstrative!"
+
+Hilary looked at him, puckering her forehead in anxious fashion.  "You
+mean that sarcastically!  She says nothing about being happy.  I noticed
+that myself.  There is something strange about the whole thing.  I am
+quite sure she did not care for him when I was there in spring.  What
+can have possessed her to accept him?"
+
+"Because he asked her nicely, and puts lots of treacle on the bread,"
+said Raymond, laughing.  "You could always make Lettice do what you
+wanted if you flattered her enough.  She would accept any fellow who
+went down on his knees and swore he worshipped her.  Oh, I say I fancy
+having Arthur Newcome as a brother-in-law!  We used to call him `Child's
+Guide to Knowledge' when he was at Windermere last summer, because he
+would insist upon improving every occasion.  We played some fine pranks
+on him, didn't we, Norah?  We'll give him a lively time of it again if
+he comes to visit us, as I suppose he will, under the circumstances."
+
+"We can't," said Norah dolefully.  "He is engaged to Lettice, and she
+would be vexed.  I don't feel as if I could ever play pranks again.  I
+was so looking forward to having Lettice with us again when we went up
+to London, but now it will never be the same again.  Even if she has a
+house of her own, Arthur Newcome will be there, and I could never, never
+get to like him as a brother."  She put her cup on the table and walked
+off by herself into the shrubbery which encircled the lawn, and though
+the others looked after her in sympathetic silence, they did not attempt
+to follow.  As Lettice's special friend and companion, the news was even
+more of a shock to her than to the rest, and it was understood that she
+might prefer to be alone.
+
+Ten minutes later, however, when tea was finished, Rex rose lazily from
+the ground, stretched his long arms, and strode off in the direction of
+the shrubbery.  Half-way down the path he met Norah marching along in
+solitary state, white about the cheeks, suspiciously red and swollen
+about the eyes.
+
+Rex clasped his hands behind his back, and blocked the narrow way.
+
+"Well, what are you doing here?"
+
+"Crying!"  Norah flashed a defiant glance at him, then turned aside to
+dab her face with her handkerchief and gulp in uncontrollable misery,
+whereupon Rex looked distressed, uncomfortable, and irritated all at the
+same moment.
+
+"Then please stop at once.  What's the use of crying?  You can't help it
+now, better make the best of it, and be as jolly as you can.  Norah--
+look here, I'm sorry to bother you any more to-day, but I came over
+specially to have a chat.  I have not had a chance of speaking to you
+quietly until now, and my father is driving round for us at six o'clock.
+Before he comes I wanted to tell you--"
+
+Norah put her handkerchief in her pocket, and faced him with steady
+eyes.  Her heart gave a leap of understanding, and a cold certainty of
+misery settled upon her which seemed to dry up the fountain of tears,
+and leave her still and rigid.
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"We had a big talk last night, Norah.  The three years are up, you know,
+and I have fulfilled my share of the bargain.  I have known all the time
+what my decision would be, and six months ago I wrote to all the men I
+know abroad, asking them to look out for the sort of berth I wanted.  On
+Tuesday I had a letter from a man in India offering me a good opening.
+You will be surprised to hear why he gives me the chance instead of all
+the other fellows who are anxious to get it.  It is because I am a good
+musician!  I don't mean in your sense of the word, of course, but I can
+rattle away on the piano and play any air I happen to hear, and he says
+the fellows up-country set no end of store by that sort of thing.  If
+other qualifications are equal, the post is given to the man who can
+play, and make things cheerful in the evening.  Rather a sarcasm, isn't
+it, after all the money that has been spent on my education, that such a
+trifle should decide my destiny?  Well--I showed the letter to my
+father, and he was terribly cut up about the whole thing.  I had said
+nothing about my plans for some time back, for it seemed no use to upset
+him before it was necessary, but he has been hoping that I was `settling
+down.'  Norah, I can't do it!  I hate leaving home, and shall be
+wretched when the time comes; but I have roving blood in my veins, and
+cannot settle down to a jog-trot, professional life in a small English
+town.  If I go out to this place I shall lie low until I have a
+practical knowledge of the land and its possibilities, and then I'll buy
+an estate, and work it in my own way.  I have the money my uncle left
+me, and can make my way without asking father for a penny.  He is coming
+over this afternoon, and I am sure he means to talk to you.  We didn't
+say anything to the mater and Edna, but he knows that you and I are
+friends, and that I will listen to what you say.  He means to ask you to
+persuade me to stay at home.  But--you understand how I feel, Norah?"
+
+"Yes, Rex.  Don't be afraid!  If your father speaks to me I shall advise
+him to let you go.  You have kept your share of the bargain: it is for
+him to keep his," said Norah steadily.  "And it appears that you _want_
+to go away and leave us."
+
+"You will live in London now for the greater part of the year.  If I
+were at home I should only see you at long intervals.  I should not
+settle in this neighbourhood.  Our life would be quite different..."
+
+"Oh yes, quite different!  Everything will be different now.  You will
+have gone, and--Lettice too!  Rex! don't be angry if I ask you
+something.  I will try to persuade your father to give you your way,
+but--tell me this before you go!-- Has the news about Lettice had
+anything to do with your decision?"
+
+Rex stopped short, and stared at her in amazement.
+
+"This news about Lettice!  Norah, what do you mean?"
+
+"About her engagement!  I always thought that you liked her yourself.
+You remember what you used to call her--`Lovely Lettice'?"
+
+"Well, and so she was lovely!  Anybody might have seen that.  Of course
+I liked her, but if you mean that I am jealous of Arthur Newcome--no,
+thank you!  I should not care for a wife who would listen to the first
+man who came along, as Lettice has done.  She was a jolly little girl,
+and I took a fancy to her at first sight, but--do you remember our
+adventure in the old passage, Norah?  Do you think Lettice would have
+stuck to me, and been as brave, and plucky, and loyal as you were in the
+midst of your fright?  I never forgot that day.  It was last night that
+I spoke to my father, before I heard a word about Lettice, or her
+matrimonial intentions."
+
+"So it was; I forgot that!"  Norah smiled with recovered cheerfulness,
+for Rex's words had lifted a load from her mind, and the future seemed
+several shades less gloomy than it had done a few minutes before.
+
+"And if you went, how soon would you start?"
+
+"As soon as possible.  I have wasted too much time already.  The sooner
+I go, the sooner I can make my way and come home again to see you all.
+Three or five years, I suppose.  You will be quite an old woman, Norah."
+
+"Yes; twenty-three!  Lettice will be married; Hilary too, very likely.
+The Mouse will be as big as I was when you first knew us, and Raymond a
+doctor in practice.  It will all be different!"  Norah's voice was very
+low as she spoke the last words, and her face twitched as if she were
+about to break down once more.
+
+Rex looked at her with the same odd mingling of tenderness and vexation
+which he had shown a few minutes earlier.
+
+"Of course it will be different!  We are not children any longer, and
+can't expect to go on as we have been doing.  What was the Vicar's text
+the other Sunday?--`As an eagle stirreth up her nest'--I liked that
+sermon!  It has been very happy and jolly, but it is time we stirred out
+of the old nest, and began to work for ourselves, and prepare for nests
+of our own.  I am past twenty-one, my father need not be afraid to trust
+me, for I can look after myself, and though the life will be very
+different out there, I'll try to do nothing that I should be ashamed to
+tell you, Norah, when I come home!"
+
+Norah turned round with a flush, and an eager, outstretched hand, but
+only to behold Mr Rex marching along on the edge of the very
+flowerbeds, with a head in the air, and a "touch me if you dare"
+expression, at the sight of which his companion gave a dismal little
+smile.
+
+That was Rex all over!  In spite of his masterful ways, he was intensely
+shy where his deeper feelings were concerned.  To say an affectionate
+word seemed to require as painful an effort as to drag out a tooth, and
+if by chance he was betrayed into such an indiscretion, he protected
+himself against its consequences by putting on his most "prickly" airs,
+and freezing the astonished hearer by his frigid tones.  Norah
+understood that having shown her a glimpse of his heart in the last
+remark, he was now overcome with remorse, and that she must be wise and
+take no notice of the indiscretion.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY.
+
+MORE CHANGES.
+
+For the next ten minutes conversation was of the most desultory
+character; then the sound of wheels was heard in the distance, and Rex
+became eager and excited once more.
+
+"There's my father!  Go and meet him, Norah.  Get hold of him before
+Hilary comes with her everlasting chatter.  He wants to speak to you.
+Bring him along here, and I'll go into the house!"
+
+Norah sped off obediently, and met the Squire as the cart turned in at
+the gate.  He pulled up at once, handed the reins to the man, and jumped
+down to join her.  His ruddy face looked drawn and anxious, and the
+first glance at the girl showed that she was, like himself, in a woe-
+begone state of mind.
+
+"Oh, you know all about it!  That boy of mine has been talking to you, I
+can see!" he said, as they shook hands, and turned along the winding
+path.  "Well, well, this is a fine ending to all my hopes.  The lad's as
+obstinate as a mule--I am sure I don't know where he got his
+disposition; if he once takes a thing in his head there's no moving him.
+Now he wants to go and bury himself in the wilds of India!  I've talked
+until I am tired, and I can't make him see what mad folly it is.  After
+an expensive college education--"
+
+"Yes, but, Squire, I don't think that's a fair argument!  Rex didn't
+want to go to college; he went against his own wishes because you were
+set on it.  He said it would be waste of money."
+
+"Tut, tut! nonsense!  Waste of money, indeed!  I don't grudge a few
+hundreds spent on my only son's education, I hope.  Things would have
+come to a pretty pass if that were the case," cried the Squire, turning
+off at a tangent, as usual, the moment he found his position attacked by
+the enemy.  "I thought the boy would have come to his senses long before
+the three years were over.  I have told him--" And he launched off into
+a lengthy account of the interview of the night before, repeating his
+own arguments and his son's replies, while Norah listened with downcast
+eyes.  "There!" he cried in conclusion, "that is the matter in a
+nutshell, and everyone must see that I am perfectly reasonable and
+within my rights.  Now, my dear, you talk to him; he thinks a great deal
+of your opinion.  Just tell him plainly that if he persists in his
+folly, he is ruining his life, and behaving in a very wrong, undutiful
+manner to his mother and to me.  Talk to him plainly; don't spare your
+words!"
+
+"I can't do that, Squire.  I'm sorry, but I don't agree with you.  Rex
+has given in to your wishes for three whole years, though, from his
+point of view, it was waste of time.  He has worked hard and not
+grumbled, so that he has kept every word of his promise.  Now he asks
+you to fulfil yours.  I am sure you must feel sad and disappointed, but
+I don't think you ought to be angry with Rex, or call him undutiful."
+
+"Eh--eh, what's this?  Are you going to side against me?  This is a
+pretty state of affairs.  I thought I could count upon your help, and
+the boy would have listened to what you said.  Well, well, I don't know
+what is coming over the young folk nowadays!  Do you mean to say that
+you _approve_ of Rex going abroad?"
+
+"Yes, I do!  It is better to be a good planter than a bad lawyer," said
+Norah steadily; and the Squire pursed up his lips in silence.
+
+The girl's words had appealed to his pet theory, and done more to
+silence objections than any amount of arguing.  The Squire was always
+lecturing other people on the necessity of doing the humblest work as
+well as it was possible for it to be done, and had been known on
+occasions to stand still in the middle of a country lane, brandishing
+his stick while he treated a gang of stone-breakers to a dissertation on
+the dignity of labour.  The thought that his son might perform his
+duties in an unsatisfactory manner was even more distasteful than the
+prospect of separation.
+
+"Well, well," he sighed irritably, "no one need envy a man for having
+children!  They are nothing but trouble and anxiety from beginning to
+end.  It's better to be without them at all."
+
+"You don't mean what you say.  You know quite well you would not give up
+your son and daughter for all the money in the world.  You love Edna all
+the more because she needs so much care, and you are just as proud of
+Rex as you can be.  Of course he is self-willed and determined, but if
+you could change him into a weak, undecided creature like the vicar's
+son, you would be very sorry to do it!"
+
+"You seem to know a great deal about my sentiments, young lady," said
+the Squire, trying hard to look ferocious.  Then his shoulders heaved,
+and he drew a long, weary sigh.  "Well, my last hope has gone if you
+range yourself against me.  The boy must go and bury himself at the ends
+of the earth.  Goodness knows when he will come back, and I am getting
+old.  Ten to one I may never see him again!"
+
+"It will be your own fault if you don't.  Westmoreland is sweet and
+beautiful, but if I had no ties and plenty of money like you, I would
+never be content to settle here for the rest of my life, while the
+great, wide world lay beyond.  If Rex goes to India, why should you not
+all pack up some year and pay him a visit?  You could sail down the
+Mediterranean and see all the lovely places on the way--Gibraltar, and
+Malta, and Naples, and Venice; stay a month or two in India, and come
+home overland through Switzerland and France.  Oh, how delightful it
+would be!  You would have so much to see and to talk about afterwards.
+Edna would get fat and rosy, and you and Mrs Freer would be quite young
+and skittish by the time you got home!  If you went to see him between
+each of his visits home, the time would seem quite short."
+
+"I daresay!  I daresay!  A very likely prospect.  I am too old to begin
+gadding about the world at my time of life," said the Squire; but he
+straightened his back even as he spoke, and stepped out as if wishing to
+disprove the truth of his own words.  Norah saw his eyes brighten, and
+the deep lines down his cheeks relax into a smile, and knew that her
+suggestion had met a kindly welcome, "Well, there's no saying!  If all
+the young people go away and leave us, we shall be bound to make a move
+in self-defence.  You are off to London for the winter.  It seems a year
+of changes--"
+
+"Oh, it is, it is, and I am so miserable!  Lettice--my own, dear
+Lettice--is going to be married, and she will never come back to live
+with us any more.  I have been looking forward to London, just to be
+with her, and now it is further off than ever.  It will never come!"
+
+Norah had fought hard for the self-possession which she had shown during
+the whole of the interview; but now her lips trembled, and the tears
+rushed into her eyes.  The future seemed dreary indeed, with Rex abroad,
+Lettice appropriated by Arthur Newcome, and Edna at the other end of
+England.  She had hard work not to cry outright, to the great distress
+of the Squire, who was the kindliest of men, despite his red face and
+stentorian voice.
+
+"Ha, humph--humph!  Sorry, I'm sure.  Very sorry!  Come, come, my dear,
+cheer up!  Things may turn out better than we expect.  I didn't know you
+had a trouble of your own, or I would not have intruded mine.  Shall we
+go up to the house?  There, take my arm.  What a great, big girl you
+are, to be sure!"
+
+Norah found time for a whispered conference with Rex before he took his
+seat behind his father and Edna in the dog-cart.
+
+"It's all right!  I have spoken to him and he means to give in.  Be as
+kind and patient as possible, for he _does_ feel it, poor old man, and
+he is very fond and proud of you!"
+
+"Humph!" said Rex shortly.  He knitted his brows and looked anxiously at
+the girl's face.  "You are awfully white!  Don't cry any more, Norah,
+for pity's sake.  We are not worth it, either Lettice or I."  Then he
+was off, and Raymond turned to his sister with a long, lazy yawn.
+
+"Well, and so Rex is bound for India!  He has just been telling me about
+it.  Lucky beggar!  When I take my degree I mean to ask father to let me
+travel for a year or two before settling down to work."
+
+"Oh, dear, dear!" sighed Norah to herself, "what a stirring up of the
+poor old nest!  There will be no eagles left if this sort of thing goes
+on much longer.  And we were so happy!  Why, oh, why did I ever wish for
+a change?"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
+
+LETTICE AT HOME.
+
+Lettice's annual summer visit was postponed this year until the middle
+of August, for Arthur Newcome had gained his point, as Mr Bertrand had
+prophesied, and the wedding was arranged to take place at the end of
+September.  Mr Bertrand had done his best to gain more time, but it was
+difficult to fight against a man who was so quiet, so composed, and so
+immovably determined as Arthur Newcome.  He listened to what was said
+with the utmost politeness, and replied to all argument with the
+statement that he was twenty-eight, that he was in a good position, and
+saw no reason for waiting indefinitely.  After this performance had been
+enacted four or five times, Mr Bertrand's patience gave way, and he
+declared that he was powerless to stand out any longer, and that perhaps
+it was a good thing to get the wedding over, since if he had much to do
+with Arthur Newcome, he should certainly collapse, and fall into a
+nervous decline.
+
+"His very presence oppresses me.  It is all I can do not to yawn in his
+face when he is telling those long-winded yarns.  Poor little Lettice!
+I wonder what sort of conversation he treats her to when they are alone.
+I thought she looked very tired yesterday at dinner.  Get her all the
+pretty things she wants for this _trousseau_, Helen.  I must do what I
+can for the poor child, for I fear she has a dull time before her."
+
+Miss Carr sighed, and shook her head.  As time went on she was more and
+more distressed about her ward's engagement, for now that his time of
+suspense was over, Arthur Newcome had lost his temporary gleam of
+brightness and had settled down into the old solemn ways which made him
+so different from other young men of his age.  The previous night was
+not the only occasion on which Lettice had seemed weary and dispirited
+after a _tete-a-tete_ with her lover, but she showed plenty of interest
+in the selection of her _trousseau_ and in the equipment of the handsome
+house which Mr Newcome was preparing for his bride.
+
+By the middle of August dressmakers and upholsterers had received the
+necessary instructions, and could be left to complete their work, while
+the tired little bride-elect went north to recoup her energies.  How
+glad she was to escape from London only Lettice herself knew; while at
+Cloudsdale, the whole house was turned upside down in excitement at the
+prospect of her arrival.  Lettice, as an engaged young lady, a bride on
+the eve of her marriage, had assumed a position of vast importance in
+her sisters' eyes, and the questions as to how she would look, how she
+would bear herself, formed the subject of many lengthy discussions.
+
+The hour came at last.  Lettice was once more among them.  She came
+rushing in, in the old impetuous way, kissing everyone in turns, and
+exclaiming in delight at being once more at home.  There had never been
+any unpleasantness connected with Lettice's home-comings.  Though she
+had lived in the lap of luxury for the last three years, she was utterly
+unspoiled by its influence, and so far from being dissatisfied with her
+own home, seemed to take an affectionate delight in finding it unchanged
+in every particular.  Her sisters followed her from room to room,
+listening with smiles to her ecstatic exclamations.
+
+"Oh, how nice it looks--the dear old place!  What a sweet, sweet smell
+of mignonette!  Oh, look at the old red table-cloth, and the ink-stain
+in the corner, where I upset the bottle.  Oh, how lovely to see it all
+again!  And the dear old sofa where we used to camp out all together--I
+have never found such a comfy sofa anywhere else.  Tea!  How pretty the
+urn looks!  I love that cheerful, hissing sound!  And what cream!  You
+never see cream like that in London."
+
+She was all smiles and dimples, and though decidedly thinner, the flush
+upon her cheeks made her look so bright and well that she was a picture
+of a radiant young bride.  Hilary and Norah watched her with fascinated
+eyes as she flitted about the room, or lay back in the chintz-covered
+chair.  What a vision of elegance she was!  The blue serge coat and
+skirt was exactly like those which the village dressmaker had made for
+their own wear--exactly like, and yet how different!  The sailor hat was
+of a shape unknown in northern regions; each little detail of her attire
+was perfect in its unobtrusive beauty, and with every movement of the
+hand came the flash of precious stones.  If she had been a whit less
+like herself Norah would have been awed by the presence of this elegant
+young lady; but it was the old Lettice who flung her arms round her neck
+the moment they were left alone together in their own room; the old
+Lettice who kissed, and hugged, and caressed with a hundred loving
+words.
+
+"Oh, Norah, I _have_ wanted you!  I longed for you so, but father would
+not let me write.  It was a horrid, horrid time, and I was wretchedly
+lonely.  Dear, darling Norie!  I am so glad to be back."
+
+"And, oh, Lettice, I am so glad to have you!  I have a hundred questions
+to ask.  Let me look at your ring.  It is a beauty, far nicer than the
+ordinary row of diamonds.  And are you awfully happy?  I was very much
+surprised, you know; but if you are happy, it doesn't matter what anyone
+else thinks!"
+
+"N-no!" said Lettice slowly.  "Yes, of course I am happy.  It hasn't
+been as nice as I expected, for Miss Carr has behaved so queerly, and
+father was not pleased.  But--oh yes, I am quite happy.  Madge is
+delighted about it, and Arthur does everything I like.  He is very
+kind!"
+
+"You funny old Lettice!  Kind! of course he is kind!" cried Norah
+laughing, and kissing the soft, fair cheek.  The flush of excitement had
+faded by this time, and the girl's face looked pale and wan, while the
+blue shadows beneath her eyes gave a pathetic expression to the sweet
+face.  "Lettice," cried Norah anxiously, "how ill you look!  You were
+excited before, and I didn't notice it, but you are as white as a ghost,
+and so thin!  Aren't you well, dear?  Have you a head-ache?  Can I do
+anything: for you?"
+
+"Oh, no, no!"  Lettice stretched out her arms over her head with a long,
+weary sigh.  "I shall be quite well now that I am at home, and with you,
+Norah.  I have been tired to death in London lately.  You have no idea
+how tiring it is to be engaged.  I have stood such hours and hours at
+the dressmaker's being tried on, and Arthur and I were always going to
+the house.  The workmen are so stupid; they have no idea of colourings.
+The drawing-room was painted three times over before Arthur was
+satisfied.  I was so tired that I would have left it as it was, but he
+is so obs--, he likes to have things done exactly in his own way, and
+worries on and on until he gets it.  I thought it would be fun
+furnishing a house, but it gets a little tiresome when people are so
+very, very particular.  We will have a nice lazy time, won't we, Norah?
+Arthur is not coming up for three weeks, so we shall be alone and have
+no one to bother us."
+
+"Ye-es!" stammered Norah confusedly.
+
+This novel way of regarding the presence of a lover was so amazing that
+it took away her breath, and before she recovered, Miss Briggs entered
+the room, and there was no more chance of private conversation for the
+present.
+
+Nothing could have been sweeter or more amiable than Lettice's demeanour
+during the first week at home.  She seemed to revel in the simple
+country life, and to cling to every member of the household with
+pathetic affection.  She went into the kitchen and sat on the fender
+stool, talking to the cook and inquiring for "your aunt at Preston,"
+"the little niece Pollie," "your nephew at sea," with a kindly
+remembrance which drew tears from the old soul's eyes.  She made dresses
+for Geraldine's dolls, trimmed Miss Briggs' caps, and hovered about her
+father and sisters on the watch for an opportunity to serve them.
+Everyone was charmed to have her at home once more, and fussed over her
+in a manner which should have satisfied the most exacting of mortals;
+but sweet and loving as she was, Lettice did not look satisfied.  The
+grey eyes seemed to grow larger and larger until her face appeared all
+eyes, and her cheeks showed a faint hollow where the dimples used to
+play.  One miserable night, too, Norah woke to find Lettice sobbing with
+her head buried in the pillow, and heard a pitiful repetition of the
+words, "What shall I do?  What shall I do?"  But when she inquired what
+was wrong, Lettice declared that a tooth was aching, and sat up in the
+bed and rubbed her gums obediently with a lotion brought from the
+medicine cupboard.  Norah blamed herself for doubting her sisters word,
+but she could not help noticing that the toothache yielded very rapidly
+to the remedy, and the incident left a painful impression on her mind.
+
+Norah was not the only member of the household who was anxious about
+Lettice's happiness.  Mr Bertrand had a serious conversation on the
+subject with his eldest daughter one morning when Lettice's pallor and
+subdued voice had been more marked than usual.
+
+"I can't stand seeing the child going about like this.  She looks the
+ghost of what she was five or six months back, and seems to have no
+spirit left.  I shall have to speak to her.  It is most painful and
+awkward on the very eve of the marriage, but if she is not happy--"
+
+"Perhaps it is only that she is tired, and feels the prospect of leaving
+home," said Hilary; and at that very moment the door was burst open and
+in rushed Lettice herself, cheeks flushed, hair loose, eyes dancing with
+merriment.  She and Raymond had just played a trick upon unsuspecting
+Miss Briggs with magnificent success.  She was breathless with delight,
+could hardly speak for bursts of laughter, and danced up and down the
+room, looking so gay and blithe and like the Lettice of old, that her
+father wont off to his study with a heartfelt sigh of relief.  Hilary
+was right.  The child was happy enough.  If she were a little quieter
+than usual it was only natural and fitting under the circumstances.  He
+dismissed the subject from his mind, and settled contentedly to work.
+
+One thing was certain: Arthur Newcome was a most attentive lover.
+Lettice contented herself with scribbling two or three short notes a
+week, but every afternoon the postman brought a bulky envelope addressed
+to her in the small neat handwriting which was getting familiar to every
+member of the household.  Norah had an insatiable passion for receiving
+letters, and was inclined to envy her sister this part of her
+engagement.
+
+"It must be so lovely to get long epistles everyday.  Lettice, I don't
+want to see them, of course, but what sort of letters does he write?
+What does he talk about?  Is it all affection, or does he tell you
+interesting pieces of news?"
+
+Lettice gave the sheets a flick with her white fingers.
+
+"You can read it if you like.  There is nothing private.  I must say he
+does not write exciting letters.  He has been in Canterbury, and this
+one is a sort of guide-book about the crypt.  As if I wanted to hear
+about crypts!  I must say I did not think when I was engaged that I
+should have letters all about tombs and stupid old monuments!  Arthur is
+so serious.  I suppose he thinks he will `improve my mind,' but if I am
+to be improved I would rather read a book at once and not be lectured in
+my love letters."
+
+She had never spoken so openly before, and Norah dared not let the
+opportunity pass.
+
+"Oh, Lettice, dear! aren't you happy? aren't you satisfied?" she cried
+earnestly.  "I have been afraid sometimes that you were not so fond of
+Arthur as you should be.  Do, do speak out, dear, if it is so, and put
+an end to things while there is time!"
+
+"An end!  What do you mean?  I am to be married in less than a month--
+how could I put an end to it?  Don't be foolish, Norah.  Besides, I do
+care for Arthur.  I wish sometimes that he were a little younger and
+less proper, but that is only because he is too clever and learned for a
+stupid little thing like me.  Don't talk like that again; it makes me
+miserable.  Wouldn't you like to have a house of your own and be able to
+do whatever you liked?  My little boudoir is so sweet, all blue and
+white, and we will have such cosy times in it, you and I, and Edna must
+come up and stay with me too.  Oh, it will be lovely!  I am sure it
+will.  I shall be quite happy.  I am glad father insisted upon having
+the wedding up here; it will be so much quieter than in a fashionable
+London church with all the rabble at the doors.  Dreadful to be stared
+at by hundreds of people who don't know or care anything about you, and
+only look at you as part of a show.  Here all the people are interested
+and care a little bit for `Miss Lettice.'  If only Rex were to be here!
+It seems hard that he should leave home just a fortnight before my
+wedding."
+
+Norah sighed and relapsed into silence, for it was all settled about
+Rex's departure by this time.  The Squire had given way, Mrs Freer and
+Edna had wept themselves dry, and were now busily occupied in preparing
+what Rex insisted upon describing as his "_trousseau_."
+
+"I have one hundred and fifty `pieces' in my _trousseau_; how many have
+you in yours?" he asked Lettice one day; and the girls were much
+impressed at the extensiveness of his preparations, until it was
+discovered that he counted each sock separately, and took a suit of
+clothes as representing three of the aforesaid "pieces."  Having once
+given way, the Squire behaved in the most generous manner, and at his
+suggestion, Rex was to travel overland to Brindisi, spending a month in
+various places of interest on the Continent.  In order to do this and
+catch the appointed boat, it was necessary to leave Westmoreland at the
+end of August.  Ten days more, and then good-bye to Rex, good-bye to the
+happy old day which could never come back again!  Four days more, three
+days, two days, one day--the last afternoon arrived, and with a sinking
+heart Norah went to meet Rex in the drawing-room for the last time for
+long years to come.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
+
+GOOD BYE!
+
+It was a gloomy afternoon.  The rain was felling in a persistent
+drizzle; the clouds were low and grey.  It seemed as if nature itself
+shared in the depression which settled on the little party gathered
+together in the drawing-room at Cloudsdale.  What merry times they had
+spent together in this room!  What cosy chats there had been round the
+fireside in winter! what refreshing hours of rest in summer, when the
+sun blinds were lowered, and the windows stood open to the green lawn!
+And now they were all over.  A melancholy feeling of "last time" settled
+on each of the beholders as they looked at Lettice with the betrothal
+ring sparkling on her finger, at Rex, so tall and man-like in his
+travelling suit of rough grey tweed.  To make matters worse, the curate
+had taken this opportunity to pay a call, so that they were not even
+alone, and the rain prevented an adjournment to the garden.  Norah sat
+at the extreme end of the room from Rex, trifling with her teacup and
+spoon, with a feeling of such helpless misery as she had never known
+before in the course of her short life.  The Mouse cried openly, Miss
+Briggs whisked her handkerchief out of her pocket at intervals of every
+few minutes and Hilary's forced cheerfulness was hardly less depressing.
+As for Rex himself, he was perfectly quiet and composed, but his voice
+had a hard, metallic ring, and his face looked drawn and old.  Lettice
+could not bear to look at him, for it seemed to her that there was more
+evidence of suffering in his set composure than in all the demonstrative
+grief of his companions.
+
+Conversation languished over tea, and at last Hilary suggested music as
+a last resort.  If there were music there would be a chance of moving
+about, and putting an end to these death-like pauses, and Rex would also
+have an opportunity of speaking to Norah, which no doubt he was longing
+to do; but so soon as music was suggested, the curate begged eagerly to
+hear Miss Norah play, and she rose to get her violin with the usual
+ready acquiescence.  Norah had made immense strides during the three
+last years, and was now a performer of no mean attainments.  It was
+always a treat to hear her play, and this afternoon the wailing notes
+seemed to have an added tenderness and longing.  Lettice bit her lips to
+keep back the tears, while she watched Rex's face with fascinated
+attention.  He had pushed his chair into the corner when Norah began to
+play, and shaded his eyes with his hand, and beneath this shelter he
+gazed at her with the unblinking, concentrated gaze of one who is
+storing up a memory which must last through long years of separation.
+How often in the bungalow home in India the scene in this English
+drawing-room would rise before him, and he would see again the girlish
+figure in the blue serge dress, the pale face leant lovingly against the
+violin, the face which was generally so gay and full of life, but which
+was now all sad and downcast!  Lettice followed Rex's example and turned
+to look at her sister.  Dear Norie! there was no one in the world like
+her!  How sweet and gentle she looked!  No wonder Rex hated to say good-
+bye--he would never find another girl like Norah Bertrand.
+
+The curate was loud in his expression of delight when Norah laid down
+her bow, but Rex neither spoke nor moved, and Hilary in despair called
+for a song.  The curate had a pleasant little tenor pipe of his own, and
+could play accompaniments from memory, so that he was ready enough to
+accede to the request.  His selection, however, was not very large, and
+chiefly of the ballad order, and this afternoon the sound of the opening
+bars brought a flush of nervousness to Hilary's cheeks--"The Emigrant's
+Farewell!"  What in the world had induced the man to make such a choice?
+An utter want of tact, or a mistaken idea of singing something
+appropriate to the occasion?  It was too late to stop him now, however,
+and she sat playing with the fringe of the tea-cloth, hardly daring to
+lift her eyes, as the words rang through the room--
+
+  "I'm bidding you a long farewell,
+  My Mary kind and true,
+  But I'll not forget you, darling,
+  In the land I'm going to.
+  They say there's bread and work for all,
+  And the son shines always there,
+  But I'll ne'er forget old Ireland,
+  Be it fifty times as fair!"
+
+Could anything be more painful--more disconcerting?  As the last notes
+rang out she darted a quick glance at Rex, and to her horror saw the
+glimmer of tears in those "masterful" eyes, which had hitherto been so
+scornfully free from signs of weakness.
+
+The next moment, before the choruses of "thank you's" had died away, Rex
+was on his feet, holding out his hand with an air of defiant
+indifference.
+
+"I must go; it is getting late.  Good-bye, Hilary.  Good luck!"
+
+"Oh, good-bye, Rex!  I am so very, very sorry--"
+
+"Good-bye, Lettice.  You will be an old married woman when I see you
+again."
+
+"Good-bye, dear, dear Rex.  Take care of yourself.  Co-come back soon!"
+
+"Miss Briggs!  Mr Barton!  Thank you very much.  Oh, yes, I shall get
+on all right!  Good-bye, little Mouse--give me a kiss!"
+
+"Good-bye, darling, darling Rex--and I've worked a book-marker for you
+with `Forget-me-not' in red worsted.  It's gone in the post to-day, and
+you will get it in the morning."
+
+"Thank you, Mouse.  I'll use it every day of my life. ...  Good-bye,
+Norah--!"
+
+"Good-bye, Rex!"
+
+That was all.  A short grasp of the hand, and he was gone.  The door
+banged, footsteps went crunching down the gravel, and Norah stood like a
+statue of despair in the dim, flagged hall.  For one moment only, then
+Lettice seized her by the arm, and dragged her hurriedly along the
+passage.  Such a flushed, determined Lettice, with sparkling eyes, and
+quick, decisive tones!
+
+"Norah!  You can't let him go away like that.  You _can't_!  It's
+inhuman!  The poor boy was crying when Mr Barton was singing.  I saw
+the tears in his eyes.  He went away because he could not bear to stay
+any longer.  And you never said a word!  Oh run, run!--go out of the
+side door, and cut across the shrubbery to meet him at the gate.  Oh,
+Norah, quick!  It is your last chance!  Think!  You may never see him
+again!"
+
+The last words put an end to any hesitation which Norah may have felt.
+Lettice held the door open, and she rushed out into the drizzling rain,
+hatless, cloakless, as she was, forgetting everything but that awful
+suggestion that she might never see Rex again.  Down the narrow path,
+where a few weeks before she and Rex had first discussed the journey to
+India; across the plot of grass where Geraldine had her garden, and
+there, at the opening into the carriage drive, stood Rex himself,
+staring before him with a strained, expectant glance, which gave way to
+a flash of joy as Norah's tall figure came in sight.
+
+"I thought you would come!  I thought you would not let me go away
+without a word!" he said, and Norah gave a little sob of emotion.
+
+"What can I say?  You know all I feel.  I shall think of you all the
+time, and wish you good luck; and every night when I say my prayers--"
+
+"I know!  Thank you, Norah."  Rex turned his head aside quickly, but
+Norah saw that he was trembling with emotion, and waited in awed
+suspense for his next words.
+
+"Norah--it is a long time--three years--five years--I can't tell which
+it may be.  I shall think of you all the time.  There never will be
+anyone else for me; but it will be different with you.  You will meet
+new friends up in London.  There will be other fellows--better than I
+am--who will care for you too.  Perhaps when I come back you may be
+married too!"
+
+"No, Rex, don't be afraid.  I am not like that.  I never forget."
+
+He gripped her hand, but made no answer, and they stood together in a
+silence which was sweet to both, despite the rain, the gloom, the coming
+separation.  Norah was the first to find her voice.
+
+"You will write home often; and we will send you all the news.  The time
+will soon pass, and you will enjoy the life and the strange new
+country."  She looked into his face with a flickering smile. ...  "They
+say there's bread and work for all, and the sun shines always there..."
+
+"But I'll not forget you, _darling_, be it fifty times as fair!" came
+the answer, in a strained, hoarse whisper.  Poor, shy Rex!  Even at the
+moment of parting it was agony to him to speak that word of endearment,
+and having said it, he was consumed with embarrassment.  Norah was still
+tingling with delight, when her hand was seized in a painful grip, a
+gruff "Good-bye, Norah!" sounded in her ears, and she was left alone in
+the garden path.
+
+She put up her hands to her face and sobbed in helpless misery.
+
+"Oh, Rex, Rex!  Five long, long years!  Oh, God, be good to my boy--take
+care of him!  Bring him back safe and well!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
+
+A CONFESSION.
+
+"And so you are engaged too, Norah!"
+
+Half an hour had passed since Rex had left Cloudsdale, and Lettice and
+Norah wore seated in the bedroom which they shared together, Norah still
+trembling and tearful, Lettice full of wide-eyed interest.
+
+"And so you are engaged too!"
+
+"No, not engaged.  There is nothing definite, but I know that he cares
+for me, and I have promised to wait--"
+
+"It's the same thing, but--five years!  It is a terribly long time!  So
+much may happen before then.  You may change your mind!"
+
+"No!  I can't explain, but I simply could not think of anyone else while
+Rex was alive.  It would be all the same if it were fifteen years.  You
+need not pity me, Lettice.  I shall keep house for father after you and
+Hilary are married, and I shall be quite happy.  I don't think anything
+could make me unhappy again, now that I know Rex cares for me, and that
+when he comes back--" Norah stopped short, and Lettice drew in her
+breath with a painful respiration.
+
+"Oh, Norie, I envy you!  I wish I felt like that.  I could never, never
+marry Arthur if I had to go out to India, and leave you all behind.
+Even now-- Norah! if I speak out to you, will you keep it to yourself?
+Will you promise faithfully not to repeat a word to father or Hilary, or
+anyone else?  Will you?  Answer, Norah, yes or no!"
+
+"I--I--yes, I promise, Lettice, if you wish it, but wouldn't it be
+better--"
+
+"No! no!  I can speak to no one else, and not even to you unless you
+promise not to repeat a single word.  Sometimes I am so miserable!  I
+never intended to marry Arthur--never for a moment; but he was very nice
+to me--and I know you will be shocked, Norah, but I wanted him to go on
+being attentive, and sometimes I did pretend I liked him a little bit,
+when he seemed discouraged, or as if he were beginning to care less than
+he used.  Then that day on the river he asked me to marry him, and I
+said No!  I was horrified at the idea, and I tried to refuse him, I
+really did, but he looked so miserable--I couldn't bear to see him.  I
+was quite happy for a little time after that, and when he was away I
+longed for him to come back; but since then father and Miss Carr have
+been so cross; there have been such worries with the house, and workmen,
+and dressmakers, that I have felt sometimes as if I would give the world
+to run away and hide, and never see any of them again!"
+
+Norah sat motionless, gazing at her sister in horrified silence.  Her
+heart beat in quick, painful throbs--even Rex himself was forgotten in
+the shock of hearing her worst fears confirmed in Lettice's own words.
+Unhappy! within three weeks of her marriage, with presents arriving by
+every post, the wedding breakfast ordered, the guests bidden to the
+church!  It was some time before she could command her voice
+sufficiently to speak.
+
+"But--Lettice!  If you were happy at first, perhaps you are only
+miserable now because you are tired and overdone.  I think even if I
+were going to marry Rex, I should feel sad the last few weeks when I
+thought of leaving father and the old home, and all the rest of you.  It
+seems only natural.  It would be rather heartless if one felt
+differently."
+
+"Do you think so, Norah--do you?" queried Lettice eagerly.  "Oh, I am so
+glad to hear you say that!  I have said so to myself over and over
+again, but I thought I ought to be happy.  I have been so wretched.
+That night when you thought I had toothache--"
+
+"I know.  But I was afraid it was that.  But, Lettice, if you are not
+satisfied it is not too late even now.  You could tell Mr Newcome."
+
+But Lettice gave a shriek of dismay.  "Oh, never, never!  I daren't even
+think of it, Norah.  The house is ready--all the furniture--my dresses--
+the wedding presents!  I could never, never break it off.  Poor Arthur
+would be broken-hearted, too, and his mother would be so angry; she
+would never let Madge speak to me again.  Oh, no!  I feel better already
+for talking to you.  I get nervous, and imagine things that are not
+true.  I shall be very happy--of course I shall be happy.  Arthur is so
+kind--and the house is so pretty.  Don't look so miserable, Norah dear;
+indeed, indeed, I shall be all right."
+
+"I hope so; but, Lettice, do think well over it while there is time.  It
+would be terrible to have to break off your engagement now; but, at the
+worst, all the gossip and upset would be over in two or three months,
+and if you married it would be for your whole life.  Father would be
+angry, but I would help you.  I would stay with you, Lettice, and help
+you every minute of the time."
+
+"I know you would, I know you would."  Lettice spoke in a quick,
+breathless whisper; her eyes were fixed as if she were a prisoner
+looking through the barred window and trying to summon up courage to
+escape--then a shudder shook the slight shoulders, and she jumped up,
+holding out her hands with a gesture of dismay.
+
+"Oh no, no!  Don't talk of anything so dreadful.  Arthur is coming on
+Saturday, and I shall be quite happy.  I am dull because I have not seen
+him for so long, but you will see how bright I am when he is here!  I
+was very weak and foolish to speak as I did, but I can trust you, Norah.
+You have promised not to tell."
+
+"Yes, I have promised."  Poor Norah was only too willing to be
+convinced, and surely what Lettice said was reasonable enough.  She
+would wait, at any rate, until Saturday before making any further
+attempt to persuade her sister to a step which must bring so much
+suffering and humiliation in its train.
+
+Two days later the bridegroom arrived.  Lettice went to the station to
+meet him.  A very handsome couple they looked as they drove up to the
+door, Mr Newcome immaculate as ever despite the long, dusty journey,
+and so large and impressive, that Norah was quite embarrassed by the
+suggestion that she should address him as "Arthur."  Lettice was all
+smiles and radiance, much delighted with a necklace of turquoise and
+diamonds which her lover had brought as his wedding present, and which
+she exhibited proudly to every member of the household.
+
+Father, brothers and sisters were alike so relieved to see her happiness
+that they were prepared to welcome Arthur Newcome with open arms, and to
+acknowledge that their prejudices were unfounded.  They listened with
+smiling faces to his tedious description of his journey north, of
+previous journeys, or journeys still to come; they tried to show an
+interest in the items of stale information which he offered in words of
+studied length and elegance, and with the air of imparting a startling
+novelty; but alas! it was all in vain.  After three days' experience,
+the unanimous verdict proclaimed that such a well-behaved and withal
+tiresome and prosy young gentleman had never before worn frock coats, or
+walked about country lanes in a tall hat and immaculate kid gloves.
+
+"He must be different with Lettice.  She could never endure it if he
+bored her as much as he does us," reiterated Hilary firmly, upon which
+Raymond's eyes twinkled with mischievous intentions.
+
+"Well--do you know, I should like to feel certain about that!" he said,
+and forthwith strolled out into the garden through the open doorway.
+
+Lettice and Arthur Newcome were pacing their favourite walk, the narrow
+shrubbery path which encircled the lawn, and at intervals of every three
+or four minutes the two figures came into sight as the path opened to
+drive and tennis ground.  Master Raymond strolled across to the first of
+these openings, leant nonchalantly against a tree, and waited the
+approach of footsteps.  They came--a strong, steady crunching of the
+gravel, a pattering of quick, uneven little steps, and the sound of a
+deep bass voice struck on the ear.
+
+"...And further on, in the transept aisle, I came upon a particularly
+heavy and unattractive cenotaph to the memory of--"
+
+Raymond gasped, and rolled his eyes; then, as the footsteps died away,
+he sped lightly across the lawn, and ensconced himself at the next point
+of vantage.  The boom of Mr Newcome's big voice came again to his ear.
+Poor little Lettice was evidently a good listener!
+
+"...The epitaph is in the inflated style of the period--bombastic in
+character, and supposed to be written by--"
+
+"Bombastic!" echoed Raymond in despair.  "I know someone else to whom
+that epithet would apply uncommonly well.  This is worse than I
+expected!  I'll give him one more chance, and then--" But at the third
+hearing Mr Newcome was discoursing on "allegorical figures and pseudo-
+classic statues," whereupon Raymond dashed off into the house and
+horrified his sisters by an account of his experiences.
+
+"What a shame to listen like that!  Lettice would be furious if she
+knew."
+
+"It was for her own good.  Poor little soul!  I'm sorry for her.  What
+on earth made him choose tombstones as a topic of conversation."
+
+"I know.  He has been staying in Canterbury.  Lettice told me that he
+had written to her about the Cathedral," said Norah dolefully.  "I
+wonder if I ought to go and join them!  She asked me, and pinched my arm
+to make me say yes, but I thought Arthur looked as if he didn't want me.
+Can't we make an excuse and call her in?  She looks _so_ tired."
+
+"Well, they are the funniest pair of lovers I have ever seen!" said
+Raymond, nodding his head with a knowing look, as if he had had an
+extensive knowledge of engaged couples, whereas he had never been in the
+house with one before.  And just at that moment in marched Lettice, her
+fair face disfigured by a weary, irritable expression.
+
+"I think you are all very unkind!  I asked you to come into the garden.
+It's very mean to leave me all alone, when I have only a f-f-fortnight
+more at home!"  The last word in a burst of tears, and she ran hurriedly
+upstairs to her own room.
+
+What was to be the end of it all?  Her sisters stared at each other with
+wide, frightened eyes, too miserable and uneasy to speak.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
+
+BEFORE THE WEDDING.
+
+A week before the wedding Miss Carr came down from London, and with her
+came also Mr Herbert Rayner, who had paid frequent visits to
+Westmoreland during the last few years, and was now regarded as a family
+friend who could not be spared on such an historical occasion.  His
+lameness was not any better for the lapse of time, but Hilary's
+exhortations had taken effect, for he was much less sensitive about his
+inability to do as the other men did, while as for the rest, he had
+every reason to be cheerful nowadays, for his writings were so highly
+praised that Mr Bertrand affected jealousy, and declared that his own
+sun was eclipsed.  There was a very warm friendship between the two men;
+both declared that they gained inspiration from the other, and Raymond
+dubbed them "The Mutual Admiration Society," because Mr Bertrand was
+wont to declare that Rayner was an infinitely finer writer than himself,
+while Mr Rayner in his turn despaired of accomplishing anything fit to
+compare with the work of his friend.
+
+With Miss Carr arrived a cart-load of boxes containing bride and
+bridesmaids' dresses, feathers and furbelows of all descriptions, and a
+number of presents from acquaintances in London.
+
+The other girls were full of excitement over the opening of these
+treasures, but Lettice herself was silent and indifferent, and hardly
+troubled herself to look at the beautiful gifts which were showered upon
+her.  She excused herself on the plea of a chronic head-ache, and lay
+half the day on a sofa in the schoolroom, while Miss Briggs fed her with
+beef-tea, and fussed over her in kindly, motherly fashion.  Everyone
+petted her and treated her with consideration, but no one said a word to
+suggest that she was unhappy in the thought of the coming marriage.  It
+was too late for that; she had determined to keep to her engagement, and
+it was only natural to account for her indisposition on the ground of
+excitement and fatigue.  Circumstances combined, moreover, to keep
+Lettice a good deal apart from the others during these last busy days.
+Miss Carr's maid was employed making the alterations which were
+requisite in the dresses from London, so that Lettice was continually
+being summoned to the sewing-room, and when she was not being "tried on"
+she had many letters to write acknowledging the gifts which arrived in
+such numbers.
+
+Hilary was too busy to have any time for confidential talks, and when
+Norah had a moment's leisure, her thoughts were far away from
+Westmoreland, journeying over foreign lands with a certain tall young
+Englishman with grey eyes and a crop of close-cut, curly hair.  Even
+Lettice herself was apt to be forgotten in this all-absorbing
+occupation!
+
+The Newcome contingent, and those London friends who were to accompany
+them, were to come down on the day before the wedding, and to put up at
+an hotel in Windermere, and every day brought with it a host of
+preparations which kept the little mistress of the house busy from
+morning until night.
+
+Hilary showed to advantage under these circumstances.  Always brisk,
+alert and smiling, never worried or unduly anxious, she shared a good
+deal of Rex's boasted "gift of management," and contrived to keep the
+house comfortable for the visitors, despite the general disarrangement,
+and the everlasting arrival of packing-chests and boxes.  Hampers of
+flowers, hampers of fruit, crates of china and glass, rolls of red
+baize, boxes containing wedding-cake, confectionery, dresses, presents--
+in they came, one after another, in an unending stream, until to get
+across from the front door into the dining-room was like running the
+blockade, and wisps of straw were scattered all over the house.  Norah
+and Hilary swathed themselves in big white aprons and unpacked from
+morning till night: a more interesting task than it sounds, for the
+boxes were full of pleasant surprises, and Mr Rayner, Raymond, and
+their father played the part of "dress circle," and kept everyone
+laughing with their merry sallies.  It was a cheery, bustling time, for
+everyone was in good spirits and prepared to enjoy the happy-go-lucky,
+picnic life.  Lunch and dinner were movable feasts, held either in
+dining- or morning-room, or in the garden itself, as proved most
+convenient, and when afternoon tea was served three days before the
+wedding, the cups were scattered about on the top of packing-chests in
+the hall, the cake basket hung on the hat rail, and the teapot was
+thrust out of reach of harm beneath the oak bench.  Lettice was lying
+down upstairs, but all the rest of the household were gathered together,
+the visitors provided with chairs in honour of their position, Norah
+seated on the stairs, Raymond straddle-leg over the banister, Mr
+Bertrand and Geraldine lowly on buffets, while Hilary was perched on the
+top of a huge packing chest, enveloped in a pink "pinafore," and looking
+all the prettier because her brown hair was ruffled a little out of its
+usual immaculate order.
+
+"I wish we could have tea like this every day!" cried the Mouse, drawing
+a long breath of enjoyment.  "May we have it like this every day,
+father, instead of properly in the drawing-room?"
+
+"Ah, Mouse, I see you are a Bohemian at heart, for all your quiet ways!
+I agree with you, my dear, that it would be quite delightful, but the
+difficulty is that we could not persuade people to shower presents and
+hampers upon us in the ordinary course of events.  It takes a wedding,
+or some celebration of the kind, to start such a flood of generosity."
+
+"Well, may we have tea like this when Hilary is married?" insisted
+Geraldine, with a gravity which caused a hearty laugh.
+
+"Ask Hilary, my dear!" said Mr Bertrand mischievously; and Hilary
+tossed her head and said that one wedding was enough at the time--she
+had no strength to think of two.
+
+"Indeed, my dear, I wonder you are not laid up as it is," said Miss Carr
+kindly.  "You are on your feet from morning till night, and everyone
+comes to you for directions; I am afraid you will break down when the
+excitement is over.  There is generally a collapse on these occasions.
+Have you any idea what you are all going to do after the young couple
+have departed?"
+
+"Get the house in order, and go to bed for a week," said Hilary
+brightly, flushing with pleasure at Miss Carr's words of praise, and at
+the murmur of assent which they had evoked from her companions; but it
+appeared that other people were more energetically inclined than
+herself, for both Miss Briggs and Raymond seized the opportunity to air
+secret plans of their own.
+
+"I wanted to speak to you about that, Mr Bertrand!  My sister in
+Scarborough is most anxious that I should pay her a visit, and take
+Geraldine with me, and I think the sea air would do us both good."
+
+"And I should like to have some shooting with Ferrars in Scotland.  He
+has asked me so often, and I could just fit it in this year."
+
+Mr Bertrand looked at his two daughters--at Hilary, bright and natty,
+but with shadows under her eyes which spoke of the fatigue she would not
+acknowledge; then, with an anxious tenderness at Norah, whose unusual
+quietness for the last few days he understood better than she suspected.
+
+"Really," he said, "if all the world is going off pleasuring, I don't
+see any reason why we should be left behind!  What do you say, girls--
+shall we go off for a tour on our own account?  I think we deserve a
+holiday after our hard work and a run on the Continent would do us all
+good.  Helen, what do you say?  Will you come and take care of the
+girls?  Rayner, I can't tackle three ladies unassisted.  You had better
+join us, and take care of me!"
+
+"I should certainly not leave the girls to your tender mercies, you
+scatter-brained man," said Miss Carr, smiling, as though well pleased at
+the suggestion.  "You might forget all about them, as as you did on
+another memorable occasion, and the consequences would be disastrous.
+Yes!--if you take plenty of time, and don't rush about from place to
+place, I should be glad of a change myself.  This wedding--"
+
+"It is too good of you to include me.  Wouldn't I like it!" cried Mr
+Rayner, with a smile which made him look quite young and boyish.
+"September is lovely in Switzerland.  The rush of tourists is over, and
+the autumn tints are wonderful.  But we ought to get off as soon as
+possible.  You will have to give up your week in bed, Miss Hilary!"
+
+"I may as well give up bed altogether, I think, for I shall not sleep a
+wink for thinking of it.  Oh, father dear, you are good!  I drink to
+you!"  And Hilary held up her teacup, bowing and smiling, and looking so
+bright and pretty that it was a pleasure to see her.
+
+Well, it was a happy hour, and the memory of it remained all the more
+vividly because of the contrast which it afforded to the dark days which
+followed.  At twelve o'clock the same evening, Mr Bertrand took up his
+candle and went the usual tour of inspection through the house.  He
+peered into the drawing-room, fragrant with plants and cut blossoms,
+into the dining-room, where the village carpenters were already putting
+up the horse-shoe table; into the pantry, where the more valuable
+presents were locked away in the great iron safe.  All was quiet and
+secure.  He returned to his study, and was just settling down for a
+quiet read, when the sound of footsteps smote on his ear.  He opened the
+door, and started back at the sight of a white figure which came
+floating towards him, with flowing locks and outstretched hands.
+
+"What is it?--who is it?  What is the matter?--_Lettice_!"
+
+The next moment two arms were clasped round his neck; he felt the
+heaving of breathless sobs, and an agonised voice called on him by
+name--
+
+"Oh, father, father! save me! save me!  I can't go on!  I can't marry
+him!  My heart will break--!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
+
+BROKEN PLANS.
+
+The light was still dim the next morning when Hilary woke with a start
+to find her father standing by her bedside.  Even in the first sleepy
+glance she was struck by the pale distress of his face, and sat up
+hurriedly, pushing back the hair from her face, and murmuring a confused
+"What--what--what?"
+
+"My dear, I am sorry to disturb you, but I need your help."  Mr
+Bertrand seated himself on the edge of the bed, and took the girl's
+hands in his.  "Hilary, a great trouble has come upon us.  Lettice
+wishes to break off her engagement.  She cannot bear the idea of
+marrying Arthur Newcome.  There will be no wedding on Thursday as we
+expected."
+
+Hilary stared at him with dazed eyes.  Her awakening from sleep had been
+so sudden, and the news was so overwhelming, that it was some moments
+before she could grasp its full meaning.
+
+No wedding!  But the preparations were made--everything was ready.  It
+could not be stopped at the very last moment.  She drew in her breath
+with a quick, frightened respiration:
+
+"Oh, father! is it true?  Is she _sure_?  Does she really mean it?"
+
+"I am afraid there is no doubt about that, Hilary.  Now that she has
+summoned up courage to speak, she acknowledges that she has been unhappy
+all along.  She is in great distress, as is only natural.  Norah is with
+her.  I put off disturbing you as long as I could, for you have had too
+much fatigue lately, but I need your help, dear.  You must get up at
+once.  We have some painful duties before us."
+
+"Oh, father--Arthur!  What will he--how will you--?"
+
+Mr Bertrand drew a sharp sigh.  "I have wired to him to stop all
+preparations, and come down himself by the early train.  He will be here
+this afternoon.  Poor fellow! he has been cruelly used.  I am bitterly
+ashamed.  I have told Mary to bring you up a breakfast tray at once, and
+here she comes; so eat as much as you can before you get up, and then
+come to me in my study.  Be brave!  Remember I rely on your help!"
+
+"Yes, father," said Hilary tremblingly; and the next moment Mary entered
+the room, her rosy face awed and frightened, her ready tongue silenced
+by the seriousness of the situation.
+
+That breakfast seemed like a hideous nightmare to Hilary.  Every moment
+brought a fresh pang of recollection.  In every direction in which her
+eyes glanced, they lighted upon some object which accentuated her
+misery--the long dress box, in which the bridesmaids' finery lay ready
+for use; the pile of letters on the table; the hundred and one etceteras
+of preparation.  Could it be possible that they were all for nothing--
+that she must now set to work to undo the labour of weeks?  And the
+misery of it all! the humiliation--the dreadful, dreadful publicity!
+Hilary leapt out of bed in despair, unable to remain idle any longer,
+dressed with feverish rapidity, and ran downstairs to join her father.
+As she reached the foot of the staircase, Mr Rayner came forward to
+meet her.  Their hands met in a close, sympathetic grasp, but neither
+spoke during the moment that it lasted.  Then came the sound of a heavy
+footstep on the tiled floor, and the village joiner crossed the hall on
+his way to complete the erection of the tables in the dining-room.  He
+touched his cap to Hilary as he passed, and the girl drew back, growing
+pale to her lips.
+
+"Oh, he must be stopped!  I can't do it.  It is too dreadful!"
+
+"Leave it to me.  It's so seldom I can do anything--do let me help you
+now.  Go to your father, and leave all this to me."  He led her forward,
+unresisting, to the study, where her father greeted her with an
+exclamation of relief.
+
+"Ah, here you are, dear!  Sit down.  We must get to work at once on this
+wretched business.  I have sent off notes already to the vicar and the
+curate, who will stop preparations at the church; the domestic
+arrangements I must leave to you; and there will be notes to write to
+all invited guests.  Rayner will help, and Raymond also.  I will draw up
+a form which you can copy, but the letters must go off by the afternoon
+post, so the sooner they are written the better.  Newcome will be with
+us before many hours are over--"
+
+He broke off with a sigh, which Hilary echoed from the depths of an
+aching heart.
+
+"I will go at once and speak to the servants.  I will set them to work
+to put the house in order, and hide all the preparations out of sight,
+and then come back here, and get the writing done first of all."
+
+"That's my good girl!" said her father warmly; and they kissed each
+other with sympathetic affection.
+
+Poor Hilary!  She had need of all her courage to enable her to go
+through that morning's work.  The servants received her orders with
+tears of distress and disappointment Norah came stealing out of the room
+with the news that Lettice had cried all night long, could not be
+induced to eat, and lay on her bed icy cold and trembling as if with an
+ague.  Miss Carr was too much upset to be able to leave her bed, and
+Geraldine's straightforward questions were for once agonising to the
+listeners.
+
+"Has Lettice been naughty?" she inquired.  "Has Mr Newcome been
+naughty?  Will she never wear her pretty dresses?  Shall I never wear my
+dress?  What shall we do with all the presents?  Shall we have to send
+back the cake?"
+
+"Oh, Mouse, be quiet, for pity's sake!" cried Hilary in desperation.
+"If you ask any more questions you must go to bed.  It's very naughty
+and unkind;" at which unexpected reproof Geraldine's eyes filled with
+tears.
+
+"I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, Hilary; I only thought if you
+didn't want it, perhaps Miss Briggs's sister in Scarborough might like
+some cake--"
+
+"Come along with me, Mouse, and I'll give you a swing in the garden,"
+said Mr Rayner, coming to the rescue for the twentieth time.  His
+presence was a comfort to every member of the household, and Hilary
+could never think of that dreadful morning without recalling the quiet,
+unobtrusive way in which he watched over her, and shielded her from
+every possible aggravation.  When afternoon came, he insisted upon
+taking her to a quiet little coppice near the gates, so that she should
+not be in the house at the time of Arthur Newcome's visit; but from
+their seat among the trees they heard the sound of wheels as the fly
+turned down the drive, and knew that the dreaded interview was at hand.
+
+"Lettice begged and prayed not to see him, father says, but he insisted
+that she should go down.  He said it was only due to Arthur.  Fancy what
+it must be to the poor, poor fellow, to lose her at the last moment, and
+to have to go back to London and explain everything to his friends--when
+the house is ready, and all preparations made.  I feel so angry and
+humiliated that I can't be sorry for Lettice.  She deserves all she
+suffers!"
+
+Mr Rayner did not answer; and they sat in silence for five or ten
+minutes, at the expiration of which Hilary stole a glance at his face,
+and ventured a timid question.
+
+"Are _you_ sorry?"
+
+"Sorry for your sister?  Yes--intensely sorry!"
+
+"You think I am hard--unsympathetic?"
+
+"I think you are hardly in a fit state to understand your own feelings
+to-day.  It has been a great strain, and you have kept up bravely and
+well."
+
+Hilary's lip trembled, and she covered her face with her hands.  "Oh, I
+don't want to be hard, but it does seem so dreadful!  She had a whole
+month to think over it--and then to bring all this misery upon him at
+the last moment.  I feel _ashamed_!  Surely, surely, it is easy to know
+whether one cares or not.  If I were engaged--"
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"Oh, I don't know--I should never, never promise to marry anyone unless
+I loved him with my whole heart; but when I did, I'd stick to him if the
+whole world were against us."
+
+"I believe you would."  Mr Rayner hesitated at the end of these words
+as if he were about to say something further, but the hesitation ended
+in silence, and presently Hilary leapt to her feet and began to pace up
+and down.
+
+"Oh, let us walk about.  I can't sit still.  I am too nervous.  If we go
+along this path we shall not meet anybody, and it will pass the time.  I
+can't bear to think of what is going on inside the house."  So for the
+next hour they walked up and down trying in vain to talk upon outside
+topics, and coming back again and again to the same painful theme.  At
+last the sound of wheels came to their ears again.  The fly could be
+seen wending its way down the country lane, and Hilary lost no time in
+running home to rejoin her father in his study.
+
+He was standing with his arms resting upon the mantelpiece, his head
+buried in his hands, and when he turned to meet her, it struck the girl
+with a stab of pain that for the first time he looked old--an old man,
+tired and worn with the battle of life.
+
+"Well?" she gasped; and he answered with a long-drawn sigh.
+
+"Well--it is over!  The most painful scene I have ever gone through in
+my life.  He wouldn't believe me, poor fellow!  Then Lettice came in.
+He looked at her, and--the light died out of his face.  It was very
+pitiful.  He was brave and manly; would not blame her, or hear her
+blamed.  I admired him more than I could have believed possible.  He
+said very little.  Stricken to the heart, poor fellow, and I could do
+nothing for him!  He has gone back to town to stop preparations.  I
+would have given my right hand to help him."
+
+"Father dear!  You look so ill!  It has been too much strain.  What can
+I do for you now?  Let me do something!"
+
+"Send in Rayner to have a smoke with me.  How thankful I am that he is
+here.  He is a comfort and strength to us all!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
+
+THE SUNNY CLIMES.
+
+The sun was shining over the lake of Thun, and the little steamer was
+puffing cheerily through the water.  Behind lay the picturesque town,
+with its rushing river, and quaint, old-world buildings; in front lay--
+ah! what a scene of beauty and grandeur!  Surely, it were worth while to
+travel from the ends of the earth to see this marvellous sight.  The
+blue waters, fringed with brilliant foliage; the trees in their autumn
+glory, the rowan-berries making patches of scarlet here and there, the
+solemn pines capping the mountain height, and at the head of the lake--
+beautiful, dazzling, majestic--the snow-clad range of Eiger, Monck, and
+Jungfrau.
+
+In all the beautiful world there can be few spots so beautiful as the
+lake of Thun, as seen upon a glorious September afternoon!
+
+The passengers on board the steamer displayed a special interest in an
+English party who walked up and down the deck.  A father and three
+daughters; an elderly lady whose relationship it was difficult to guess,
+and a young man with a clever, sensitive face, who managed his crutches
+with marvellous agility, and who was obviously neither husband nor
+brother.  The girls themselves received a full share of admiration from
+the French and German visitors who are in the majority in Switzerland in
+autumn.  The eldest was so neat and dainty, with her pretty English
+complexion and trim little figure; the tall, dark girl was _spirituelle_
+and uncommon; while the third had an air _tres chic_, and would have
+been quite _ravissante_ if she had been a trifle less pale and
+_serieuse_, but even the surprising beauty of the scene seemed powerless
+to bring a smile to her face.
+
+It was chiefly owing to Mr Rayner's persuasion that Mr Bertrand had
+left Westmoreland on the very day after that fixed for his daughter's
+marriage.  The painful duty of returning the wedding presents had been
+accomplished, and it was so distressing to all concerned to remain in a
+place where they felt themselves to be the subject of continual gossip,
+that they were thankful to get away to fresh surroundings.  They had
+travelled straight through to Thun, engaging sleeping-carriages in
+advance, and had been ensconced for over a week in the hotel on the
+shores of the lake, taking daily excursions, and resting beneath the
+broad verandah, while, by common consent, no reference was made to the
+painful events of the past week.
+
+"If we are going away, we must try to get as much good as we can from
+the change.  What is past, is past.  There is no use fretting over it
+any longer," Mr Bertrand had said; and Hilary found so little
+difficulty in following his advice and being radiantly happy, that she
+felt a pang of remorse when suddenly confronted by Lettice's pale face,
+and reminded thereby of her sadness and Arthur Newcome's suffering.
+
+Lettice had ceased to cry, but she was very silent, and her eyes wore a
+strained, frightened look which it was sad to see in so young a face.
+Everyone was studiedly kind to her, but Lettice was sensitive enough to
+feel the effort which lay behind the kindness.  Norah alone was just as
+loving and whole-hearted as ever.  Dear Norah! she had been shocked and
+distressed beyond measure, but how loyally she had kept her promise to
+help "every moment of the time"!  During those two first awful days,
+what a comfort it had been to have her near; to clutch that strong,
+faithful hand when the others came into the room, and looked on from
+afar with cold, sad eyes!  Norah was the same, but all the rest had
+changed.  They had been grieved, shocked, humiliated by her behaviour,
+and though she was nominally forgiven, the chill ring of disapproval
+sounded in every word they spoke, and Lettice faded like a flower
+deprived of light and sunshine.  Instead of gaining strength by the
+change she grew every day paler, thinner, and more ghost-like, until at
+last her father became alarmed, and questioned her closely as to her
+health.
+
+"Does your head ache, Lettice?"
+
+"No, father."
+
+"Do you sleep well at night?"
+
+"I think--sometimes I do, father.  Pretty well."
+
+"Have you any pain?"
+
+Lettice raised her eyes and looked at him--a look such as a wounded stag
+might cast at its executioner.  She trembled like a leaf, and clasped
+her hands round his arm in an agony of appeal.
+
+"Oh, father, father!  I am _all_ pain.  I think of it day and night--it
+never leaves me.  I think I shall see it before me all my life."
+
+"See what, Lettice?  What do you mean?"
+
+"_His face_!" quivered Lettice, and was silent.  Mr Bertrand knew that
+she was referring to the stricken look with which Arthur Newcome had
+left the room where he had received the deathblow to his hopes, and the
+remembrance brought a cloud across his own face.
+
+"Ay!  I don't wonder at that; but it will only add to our trouble,
+Lettice, if you fell ill--and we have had enough anxiety."
+
+He was conscious of not being very sympathetic, but his feeling was so
+strong on the subject that he could not control his words, and when
+Lettice spoke again it was with no reference to herself.
+
+"Father, do you think he will ever--forget?--get over it?"
+
+Mr Bertrand hesitated.  "With most young men I should have said
+unhesitatingly--yes! but I think Arthur Newcome will probably remember
+longer than most, though I sincerely hope he will recover in time.  But
+at the best, Lettice, you have caused him bitter pain and humiliation,
+and, what is worse, have shaken his faith in women for the rest of his
+life."
+
+Lettice gave a little cry of pain.  "Oh, father!  I want to talk to you.
+I want to tell you how I feel, but I can't, while you speak in that
+hard, dry voice!  Don't you see--don't you see that you are all killing
+me with your coldness?  I have made you miserable, and have been weak,
+and foolish, and vain; but, father, father!  I have not base wicked, and
+I have suffered most of all!  Why do you break my heart by treating me
+like a stranger, and freezing me by your cruel, cruel kindness?  You are
+my father--if I have done wrong, won't you help me to be better in the
+future?  It isn't as if I were careless of what I have done.  You see--
+you _see_ how I suffer!"  And she held out her arms with a gesture so
+wild and heart-broken that her father was startled, and caught her to
+him with one of his old, fond gestures.
+
+"My poor child!  My little Lettice!  Heaven knows I have not intended to
+be cruel to you, dear, but I have been so worried and distressed that I
+have hardly known what I was about.  You must forgive me, dear, and I
+will help you in every way I can.  I do indeed see that you are
+miserable, poor child; but that I cannot help.  It is only right that
+you should realise--"
+
+"Father, I don't think you or anyone else can tell how intensely I feel
+it all.  You know I have been a coward all my life--afraid to grieve
+anyone, always trying to avoid disagreeable things; and now to feel that
+I have ruined Arthur's life and wrecked his happiness, goes through my
+heart like a knife.  And his poor, poor face!  Father, I am too
+miserable and ashamed to be sure of anything, but I do believe this will
+be a lesson to me all my life.  I can never, never be so cruel again!  I
+will never marry now, but I will try to be a comfort to you, father
+dear, and do everything I can to make up for the misery I have caused--
+only do, do love me a little bit.  Don't everybody stop loving me!"
+
+Mr Bertrand smiled to himself as he stroked the girl's soft hair.
+Small fear that he or anyone else would cease caring for lovely, lovable
+Lettice; but all the same, his smile was more sad than bright.
+
+"I shall always love you, dear," he said; "but, Lettice, try to think
+less of people's love for you, and more of your own love for them.  That
+is the secret of happiness!  This constant craving to receive love is
+not far removed from selfishness, when you go down to the root of
+things.  Try to think of other people first--"
+
+"I will, father--I really will; but don't lecture me to-day, plea-se!  I
+feel so low and wretched that I can't stand anything more.  I am not--
+all--all--altogether bad, am I?"
+
+Mr Bertrand laughed despite himself.  "No, indeed.  Very well, then--no
+more lectures.  We understand each other now, and there are to be no
+more clouds between us.  Off with you into the hotel!  Put on your hat
+and cloak, and we will go for a row on the lake before lunch."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.
+
+A GLAD SURPRISE.
+
+The weather continued so warm and sunny that Mr Bertrand and his party
+lingered in Thun, day after day, enjoying the Indian summer, and loath
+to tear themselves away from the lovely surroundings.  Lettice remained
+silent and subdued, but there was no longer any coldness between her and
+her companions, and her face had lost the strained, despairing
+expression which had been so painful to behold.  The news from London,
+moreover, was as satisfactory as could be hoped for under the
+circumstances.  A friend of Arthur Newcome's, who was also engaged to be
+married, had come forward and offered to take the house and furniture at
+a valuation, while his father had recalled his business manager in
+America and was sending Arthur to take his place for the next two or
+three years.  Everyone felt that the change would be the best cure which
+the poor fellow could have, while it was an immense relief to know that
+there would be no danger of painful encounters in London.  Even with
+this dread removed, Mr Bertrand was in ten minds about his plans for
+the coming winter.  There seemed many reasons why it would be better to
+remain quietly in Westmoreland for another year.  He puzzled over the
+question in private, and finally confided his difficulty to Mr Rayner,
+with startling and unexpected results.
+
+"You see, the boys could go on as they are for some time to come; Norah
+is not over anxious for the change, and I cannot say I am willing to let
+Lettice go much into society just now.  She is so very lovely that she
+is bound to attract attention, and after this painful business it would
+be in better taste to keep out of the way until it is forgotten.  All
+things considered, I think I should be wise to give up the idea of
+coming to town until next winter."
+
+Mr Rayner's face had clouded over while his friend was speaking, and
+his answer came in dry, irritated tones.
+
+"When you say, `all things considered,' you forget, of course, that you
+have entirely overlooked Miss Hilary's feelings in the matter.  As your
+eldest daughter, I should have thought that her wishes might have been
+consulted; but it appears that all the others are put before her!"
+
+"Hallo, what's this?  And pray when did you constitute yourself Hilary's
+champion?" cried Mr Bertrand, turning round in his seat with a laugh,
+and an amused expression on his face, which gave place to one of
+blankest astonishment as he met the flash in his companion's eyes, and
+heard the firm tone of the answer--
+
+"How long ago?  I don't know!  But I _am_ her champion, now and for
+ever, if she will have me!"
+
+"Rayner!  What is this?  You cannot possibly be in earnest?"
+
+Herbert Rayner laughed shortly.  No one could look at him for a moment
+and doubt that he was deeply in earnest, but there was a bitter ring in
+his laughter which showed that he misunderstood the reason of his
+friend's surprise.
+
+"I don't wonder that you are astonished!  A fine lover I am--am I not,
+to dare to aspire to a bright young girl?"
+
+"My dear fellow, you misunderstood me.  I know to what you refer, but
+that never even entered my mind.  What I can't realise is that you can
+possibly entertain any feeling of the kind for Hilary.  You!  If I ever
+thought of your possible marriage it was always with some clever,
+charming woman of the world who would help you with your work, and enter
+into your plans.  Hilary is a mere girl.  She has no special ability of
+any kind--"
+
+"No?"
+
+"Not the slightest literary gift!"
+
+"No."
+
+"Absolutely ignorant of your world."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"You are ten years older than she is."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well--well--well--"
+
+"Well, Bertrand, we can't argue about these things.  There it is, and I
+can't account for it.  I want Hilary, and I don't want the `clever,
+charming woman.'  She satisfies me, and--"
+
+"Have you spoken to her?"
+
+"Certainly not!  I don't know that I should have ever summoned up
+courage to speak to you, if you had not taken me by surprise.  It would
+be different if I were now as I was ten years ago, but I feared you
+might think my health an insuperable objection."
+
+"No--no!  I can't say that--if you have really set your heart on it.
+How long has this been going on?"
+
+Mr Rayner smiled--a quick, whimsical smile, which was like a flash of
+sunshine.
+
+"Well, you have heard the story of the scarlet slippers?  That evening,
+after you left, I went to look for them behind the curtains, and
+smuggled them downstairs beneath my coat.  I don't know what possessed
+me to do it, but I did, and I have them still!"
+
+Mr Bertrand threw back his head with a burst of laughter.
+
+"Oh, after that!  If you have got the length of treasuring worsted
+slippers, there is no more to be said.  Rayner, my dear fellow, I
+suppose I ought to be distressed, but I believe I am--uncommonly pleased
+and proud!  Little Hilary!  It would be delightful to feel that you were
+one of us.  And have you any idea as to whether she cares for you in
+return?"
+
+"We have always been great friends.  I cannot say more.  And do you
+really give me permission to speak to her?  Would you give her to me, in
+spite of my weakness and infirmity?  How can I ever express my thanks?"
+
+"If Hilary cares for you, I will put no hindrance in your way; but we
+must have no more mistakes.  I will not allow an engagement until I have
+satisfied myself as to her feelings.  There is one comfort: she knows
+her own mind uncommonly well, as a rule.  You can speak to her when you
+will..."
+
+Although the conversation lasted for some time longer, the same things
+were practically repeated over and over again, and when the two
+gentlemen came in to lunch, the girls and Miss Carr all noticed the
+unusual radiance of their expressions.  The last few weeks had contained
+so much trouble and worry, that it was quite inspiriting to see bright
+faces again, and to hear genuine laughter take the place of the forced
+"ha, ha!" which had done duty for so long.  Even Lettice smiled once or
+twice in the course of that meal, and Norah's eyes lost their dreamy,
+far-away look and twinkled with the old merry expression, while Hilary
+nodded gaily across the table in answer to her father's searching look,
+and chattered away all unsuspecting of the great event which was so
+close at hand.
+
+When Mr Rayner asked her to take her work to the seat overlooking the
+lake, in the afternoon, she said, "Won't you come too, Lettice?" and
+tripped after him, humming a lively air.
+
+It was a very different Hilary who returned to the hotel two hours
+later, and went to join her father on the verandah.  Her face was pale
+and serious; she looked older and more womanlike; but there was a steady
+light of happiness in her eyes which told its own tale.
+
+"Well, Hilary," he asked gravely, "and what is it to be?"
+
+"There is no doubt about that, father!  It is to be as he wants--now and
+always!"
+
+"I thought as much.  But you must realise what you are doing, dear.
+When most girls are married they look forward to having a strong man's
+arm between them and the world; they expect to be shielded from trouble;
+but if you marry Rayner, this will not be your lot.  You will have to
+watch over him, to spare him fatigue and anxiety, and take the burden on
+your own shoulders, for he is a man who will require constant care."
+
+"I know that.  It is what I long to do.  I should be so happy looking
+after him."
+
+"And perhaps--it seems brutal to mention it, but the possibility must be
+faced--he might not be spared to you for many years!  A delicate fellow
+like that--"
+
+"Strong men die unexpectedly, father, as well as weakly ones.  Everyone
+has to run that risk.  I would rather be his wife even for two or three
+years than marry any other man.  And I will nurse him so well--take such
+good care--"
+
+"Ah, I see your mind is made up!  Well, dear, some people would think I
+was doing a foolish thing in consenting to this engagement, but I _do_
+consent.  I do more than that, I rejoice with all my heart in your
+happiness, and in my own happiness, for it will be a joy to every one of
+us.  Rayner will be a son-in-law worth having, and a husband of whom any
+woman might be proud.  Ah, well! this is something like an engagement!
+That other unhappy affair was nothing but trouble from first to last.
+You know your mind, my dear, and are not likely to change."
+
+"Never!" said Hilary.  And her eyes flashed with a bright, determined
+look, at which her father smiled.
+
+"That's good hearing!  Well, dear, we will have another talk later on,
+but now we had better go and join the others.  They are curious to know
+what we are whispering about over here."
+
+Miss Carr had come out of the hotel after her afternoon nap, and was
+seated on the verandah beside the two younger girls.  Mr Rayner had
+joined them, and was listening with mischievous enjoyment to their
+speculations about Hilary's conference with her father.
+
+"How interested they seem!  Now he is kissing her.  Why don't they come
+over here and tell us all about it?" cried Norah; and, as if anxious to
+gratify her curiosity, Mr Bertrand came towards the verandah at that
+very moment, and presenting Hilary to them with a flourishing hand,
+cried roguishly--
+
+"Allow me to introduce to you the future Mrs Herbert Rayner!"
+
+The excitement, joy, and astonishment of the next few minutes can be
+better imagined than described.  Miss Carr shed tears into her teacup;
+the girls repeated incoherently that they had always expected it, and
+that they had never expected it; and Mr Bertrand was as mischievous in
+his teasing ways as Raymond himself could have been under the
+circumstances; but the lovers were too happy to be disturbed by his
+sallies.  It was both beautiful and touching to see Mr Rayner's quiet
+radiance, and to watch how his eyes lightened whenever they lit on
+Hilary's face, while to see that self-possessed young lady looking shy
+and embarrassed was something new indeed in the annals of the family!
+Shy she was, however, beyond possibility of doubt, hardly daring to look
+in Mr Rayner's direction, and refusing outright to address him by his
+Christian name for the edification of the listeners.
+
+"What is there to be frightened at?  I am not frightened!  Herbert, do
+you take sugar, Herbert?  Will you have two lumps, Herbert?" cried
+Lettice saucily, and everyone smiled, pleased to see the lovely face
+lighted up by the old merry smile, and to hear a joke from the lips
+which had drooped so sadly.
+
+"Will you put me in a story, Herbert, if I'm very good, and promise not
+to tease?" said Norah, determined not to be outdone; and the new brother
+looked at her with admiring eyes.
+
+"I think I rather enjoy being teased, do you know; it is so very new and
+satisfactory!  But I shall certainly make a heroine of you some fine
+day, Norah, when I have manufactured a hero worthy of the occasion!"
+
+Norah's laugh rang out merrily, but as she turned her head to look at
+the distant mountains, a little film of moisture dimmed her eyes.
+Impossible to see two people so happy together as Herbert and Hilary,
+and not think of the long years which must pass before such a joy came
+to herself.  But Rex was true--he would not change; he was worth all the
+waiting--
+
+"Well, Helen," said Mr Bertrand to his faithful old friend as the young
+people moved off at last and left them alone together.  "Well, Helen,
+and what do you think of this latest development?  Are you satisfied?
+Have I been wise?--Do you think he is the right man for her?"
+
+Miss Carr looked at him with a little flash of disdain.
+
+"I think," she said slowly, "that Hilary has improved so wonderfully
+during the last few years, that there is now some chance of her being
+_almost_ good enough for him!  My dear Austin, he is a king among men!
+Hilary may be a proud woman that his choice has fallen upon her.  They
+will be very happy."
+
+"I trust, I think they will!  It seems strange that it should be Hilary,
+who was always so careful of her own interests, who should have chosen
+to marry a delicate, crippled fellow who must be more or less of a care
+all his days; but I believe it will make a splendid woman of her, draw
+out all the tenderness of her nature, and soften her as nothing else
+could have done.  Yes!  I am thoroughly happy about it, more especially
+as it has the honour of your distinguished approval.  These engagements
+come thick and fast upon us, Helen.  Let us hope there will be a
+breathing time now for some time to come.  Lettice is bound to marry
+sooner or later, but we will pray for `later,' and as for Norah, I
+suppose her future is practically settled.  Poor child! it will be a
+long waiting, but Rex is a fine lad, and is bound to succeed.  He knows
+his own mind, too, and will not be likely to change; while Norah--"
+
+"Yes, she is one of the steadfast ones, but she is only a child, Austin,
+and will be none the worse for the time of waiting."
+
+"And I cannot regret it, since through it I shall be able to keep one of
+my little lasses with me for some years at least.  I shall be a lonely
+man when they all take flight! ...  Come, it is getting chilly.  Let us
+go into the house."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Sisters Three, by Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
+
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