erved Dinah, in rather an alarmed
voice. "We could not do that sort of thing again. You see, Mr. Herrick,
it was really to make up to Cedric because he had no party when he came
of age. I was ill just then, and we had to go away."

"No, no, you are quite right, Die, we must keep our Bean-feast within
limits," returned Elizabeth soothingly. "We thought of fixing the
twentieth of August," she continued, addressing Malcolm. "That is
nearly a month later than last year, I expect most of our inner circle
friends will be away, but we shall have a good house-party; and with
some of Cedric's Oxford friends we shall be able to infuse sufficient
new life into our country clique. Well, Mr. Herrick, is that likely to
suit Miss Sheldon?"

"I am afraid not," he returned regretfully, for he was really quite
touched at this thoughtfulness on her part. And how Anna would have
loved it! "They will be at Whitby by that time. But I will tell her of
your kind thought for her." And then, as it was getting late, for they
had lingered pleasantly over the meal, he went off to make his
preparations, and half an hour afterwards the dog-cart was brought to
the door.

"Good-bye, we shall miss you so much," observed Dinah almost
affectionately; "but we shall see plenty of you when you are at the
Crow's Nest."

"I hope so. Thank you, dear Miss Templeton, for all your kind
hospitality," and then it was Elizabeth's turn.

"Adieu--au revoir, Mr. Herrick," but she pressed his hand very kindly
as she spoke, and her eyes had a friendly beam in them.

"Au revoir, and thanks to you too," returned Malcolm; but the smile on
his face was a little forced.

As the dog-cart turned the corner he looked back. The sisters were
still standing side by side. Elizabeth waved her hand. She was no
longer the stately-looking woman in the Paris gown and picture hat, who
had moved with such a queenly step among her guests. This was a far
homelier Elizabeth, in the old striped blouse and battered garden hat,
only this morning Malcolm found no fault with it. He was very silent
for some time, but as he leant back in the dog-cart with folded arms
and closely compressed lips, there was a glow in his dark eyes that
somewhat contradicted his outward calmness.

"And you are going down to the Manor House on Thursday," observed
Cedric, as they came in sight of the station. "What a pity my Henley
visit is put off till the following week, or we might have had a good
old time t