clematis, and altogether
sheltered from sun and wind. The most reposeful sofas, the roomiest
arm-chairs in all the house were to be found here, covered with a cool
shining chintz of the good old-fashioned sort, apple-blossoms and
spring-flowers on a white ground.

A second window in a corner opened into a small fernery, in which there
was a miniature water-fall that trickled with a slumberous sound over
moss-grown rockwork. There could hardly have been a better room for
afternoon tea on a sultry summer day; and afternoon tea at Ashbourne
included iced coffee, and the finest peaches and nectarines that were
grown in the county; and when the Duke happened to drop in for a chat
with his wife and daughter, sometimes went as far as sherry and
Angustura bitters.

The Duchess received her daughter with her usual delighted air, as if
the ethereal-looking young lady in India muslin had verily been a
goddess.

"I hope you have not been fatiguing yourself in the orchid-houses on
such an afternoon as this, my pet," she said anxiously.

"No, indeed, mamma; it is much too warm for the orchid-houses. I have
been in the shrubbery reading, or trying to read, but it is dreadful
sleepy weather. We shall all be glad to get some tea. Oh, here it
comes."

A match pair of footmen brought a pair of silver trays: caddy, kettle,
and teapot, and cups and saucers on one; and a lavish pile of fruit,
such as Lance would have loved to paint, on the other.

Lady Mabel took up the quaint little silver caddy and made the tea.
Roderick began to eat peaches. Lord Mallow, true to his nationality,
seated himself by the Duchess, and paid her a compliment.

"There are some more parcels for you, Mabel," said the fond mother
presently, glancing at a side-table, where sundry neatly-papered
packets suggested jewellery.

"More presents, I suppose," the young lady murmured languidly. "Now I
do hope people have not sent me any more jewellery. I wear so little,
and I--"

Have so much, she was going to say, but checked herself on the verge of
a remark that savoured of vulgar arrogance.

She went on with the tea-making, uncurious as to the inside of those
dainty-looking parcels. She had been surfeited with presents before she
left her nursery. A bracelet or a locket more or less could not make
the slightest difference in her feelings. She entertained a
condescending pity for the foolish people who squandered their money in
buying her such things, when th