gives us, and I can't bear the way mamma and Ida are always trying
to get more out of him, when I know he can't always do what he likes, and
nasty people think him shabby. I am sure I ought to work for myself.'

'But if Herbert is a lord?'

'I hope he won't be for a long long time,' cried Constance. 'Besides, I
am sure he would want all his money for himself! And as to being a
teacher, Aunt Mary was, and Miss Arden, who is so wise and good, is one.
If I was like them I think it would be doing real work for God and
good--wouldn't it, Rose? Oh dear, oh dear, there's the carriage stopping
for you!'

CHAPTER XIX
THE DOLOMITES

The summer was a very hot one, and the travellers, in spite of the charm
of new scenes, and the wonders of everything to their unsophisticated
eyes, found it trying. Constance indeed was in a state of constant
felicity and admiration, undimmed except by the flagging of her two
fellow-travellers in the heated and close German railway cars. Her
uncle's head suffered much, and Lady Northmoor secretly thought her
maid's refusal to accompany them showed her to be a prudent woman.
However, the first breath of mountain air was a grand revival to Lord
Northmoor, and at Innsbruck he was quite alive, and walked about in
fervent delight, not desisting till he and Constance had made out every
statue on Maximilian's monument. His wife was so much tired and
worn-out, that she heartily rejoiced in having provided him with such a
good little companion, though she was disappointed at being obliged to
fail him, and get what rest she could at the hotel. But then, as she
told him, if he learnt his way about it now, he would be able to show it
all to her when they had both gained strength at Ratzes.

Bertha had obtained full instructions and a welcome for them from Mrs.
Bury, a kindly person, who, having married off her children while still
in full health and vigour, remained at the service of any relation who
needed her, and in the meantime resorted to out-of-the-way places abroad.

The railway took them to Botzen, which was hotter still, and thence on to
Castelruth, whence there was no means of reaching Ratzes but by mule or
_chaise a porteux_. Both alike were terrible to poor Mary; however, she
made up her mind to the latter, and all the long way was to her a dream
of terror and discomfort, and of trying to admire--what she knew she
ought to admire--the wonderful pinnacle-like aiguilles of the S