e really more than I could bear. The old days are over, and he
must look elsewhere for sympathy."

Meantime Kitty had seated herself on the grass, and was proceeding to
account for her appearance.

"Please I hope you don't object to my coming back so soon! Mummy has
gone with father to call on Mr Vanburgh, and I walked with them to the
Grange, and came in here to wait until she comes out. She put on all
her new things, and looks a perfect duck. I expect he will like her
awfully, and I told her to introduce my name into the conversation as
often as possible. `My daughter likes this'; `My daughter likes that';
`As my little girl says to me';--that sort of thing, don't you know,
just to attract his attention. Perhaps he will tell her to bring me
with her next time she calls, or even ask me to tea by myself. He may
have nieces or grandchildren who will come to stay, and then it would be
useful to know a girl in the neighbourhood. I think he is certain to
ask me--"

"Mother!" interrupted Chrissie shrilly; and her voice was so sharp with
distress that every one stopped talking, to listen to what she had to
say. "Mother, Mrs Maitland has gone to see Mr Vanburgh before you! I
asked you to go! I had set my heart on your being the first caller; and
now it's too late, and you can only be second. I told you so! I _said_
how it would be!"

Mrs Rendell lifted her brows with the little surprised air of reproof
which Chrissie knew so well.

"I regret to have disappointed you, my dear," she replied, with
elaborate politeness; "but I fear I should hardly have been the first
caller, even if I had gone the day after my return, and I have been too
much occupied this week to pay outside visits. I am sure you will be
delighted to hear Mrs Maitland's report, and will not grudge Kitty the
pleasure, if she makes Mr Vanburgh's acquaintance before yourself."

Chrissie collapsed into silence; but, veiled by her thickly-flowing
hair, she grimaced to herself and scowled at her friend, who was
regarding her with that air of enjoyment which it is impossible not to
feel when a companion receives a nice little snub for her pains!

Agatha and Elsie had already begun to invent forecasts of the news which
Mrs Maitland would have to tell, when, to the amazement of all, who
should appear round the corner of the house but that lady herself! She
carried her card-case in her hand, and waved her hand in greeting; but,
for once in their live