Lady Grace. "I knew that child was goin

one now?" growl

sofa with a French novel which she had not begun to read. Through the great windows that opened on to the balcony the sunshine streamed in a flood of

ke out which. Probably the latter. Anyhow the sister-who, I believe is what is termed slightly me

id the Colonel. "

told her, I am directly responsible to her mother for any friendships she may make out here, and I am not disp

s still kept in order with the rod. Why, even Bathurst-great hulking ox-

. I am sorry for Dinah. I have always pitied her, for she certainly works hard, and gets little praise for it. But at the same t

yesterday evening. A very courteous little chap-quite unusually so. I think we may regard them as quite passable." His eyes also wandered to the graceful, lounging figure on the balcon

to be attracted-it might be a very excellent thing for her. Her mother can't hope to keep her as maid of all work for

sh to stand in the child's way. I have a fancy that she will find the bondage at home considerably more irksome after this taste of freedom.

ver had the smallest affection for her. She would be delighted to get her off her hands, I should say. But things mustn't move too quickly, or the

obably get a seat in Parliament at the next election. I'm not greatly taken with the man myself," declared Colonel de Vigne.

ce very decidedly. "It would be most unsuitable. Yes, w

ing flushed and rather unc

disturb us at this hour, my dear Dinah," said

ces, so I knew you weren't asleep. I just came in to s

fretful. "Of course I don't mind so

re!" said the C

ng a swift retreat, stood st

re!" he

to him he

her by the arm. "Were you eaves

se I wasn't!" she declared, with veheme

id the Colonel,

l de Vigne, you-you insult me! I am not the sort that l

h the words, gazing down

t his temper. "If I have done you an injus

a whirlwind, banging

ested Lady Grace in

rimly. "A vixen's daughter, m

Lady Grace. "And if she wasn't actually eaves

d Sir Eustace would not be suitable. And I also think Sir Eustace would be the first to see it. Anyhow, I shall take an early opportunity of letting him know that her birth is by no means a high one, and that her presence here is simply due to ou

o tea there unless Rose is invit

nel pompously, "I thin

lly wouldn't surprise me to find that she is a born fortune

e arrived at an unalterable decision, "is the most disagreeable

t-thank heaven-she is not! Now, dear, if you don't mind, I am going to read myself to sleep. I

h is going?" sa

little laugh. "I wonder if the redoubtable Mrs. Bathurst does really beat

bsolutely under her mother's control. That great raw-b

I never knew she had any will of her own till she came here.

t, if you ask me, I should say she is something of a dark horse. She is just beginning to

le she is in my char

mother will find her considerably less tame and tractable when she sees her again t

strict with her oursel