the whole summer had been spent in the country.

That excuse, however, would not serve Mrs. Forest this year. She had
taken a house in town, and there was no other course open to her than to
launch her brother's child into society, however sorely against her will.
Her main anxiety had fortunately by that time ceased to exist. There was
no likelihood of Chris, with her brilliant, vivacious ways, outshining
her own daughter. For Hilda was engaged to Lord Percy Davenant, who
plainly had eyes and thoughts for none other, and the marriage was to be
one of the events of the season.

Chris was therefore accorded her chance upon the tacit understanding that
she was to make the most of it, since Mrs. Forest still maintained her
attitude of irresponsibility where her brother's children were concerned,
although the said brother had drifted to Australia and died there, no one
quite knew how, leaving next to nothing behind him.

His sons and Chris had been brought up upon their mother's fortune, a sum
which had been set aside for their education by their father at her
death, after which, beyond providing them with a home--the ramshackle
inheritance that had come to him from his father--he had made little
further provision for them. His eldest son, Rupert, was a subaltern in a
line regiment. No one knew whether he lived on his pay or not, and no one
inquired. The second son, who possessed undeniable brilliance, had earned
a scholarship, and was studying medicine. And Noel, now aged sixteen, was
still at school, distinguishing himself at sports and consistently
neglecting all things that did not pertain thereto.

Undoubtedly they were a reckless and improvident family, as Mrs. Forest
so often declared; but perhaps, all things considered, they had never had
much opportunity of developing any other qualities, though it was
certainly hard that she should be regarded as in any degree responsible
for them. She and her brother had always been as far asunder as the poles
in disposition, and neither had ever felt or so much as professed to feel
the faintest affection for the other.

It vexed her that Jack and Hilda should take so lively an interest in
Chris, who was bound to turn out badly. Had she not already shown herself
to be incorrigibly flighty? But since it vexed her still more that anyone
should regard her actions as blameworthy, she had yielded to their
persuasions. And thus Chris had been given her chance.

She was thoroughly