y be fairly presentable.'

'We have taken great pains with her,' answered the gentle mother,
evidently taking this as a great compliment, while the daughter was
tingling with indignation. She, bred up by mother, and aunt, and Mary
Nugent, to be barely presentable. Was not their society at
Micklethwayte equal in good manners to any, and superior, far superior,
in goodness and intelligence to these stupid fashionable people, who
undervalued all her real useful acquirements, and cared for nothing but
trumpery music.

The carriage entered the park, and Nuttie saw lake and woods from a
fresh point of view. The owners were both at home, and Nuttie found
herself walking behind her parents into a cheerful apartment, half
library, half morning-room. Mrs. Egremont was by far the most shy and
shrinking of the party, but it was an occasion that showed her
husband's complete tact and savoir favre. He knew perfectly well that
the Kirkaldys knew all about it, and he therefore took the initiative.
'You are surprised to see us,' he said, as he gave his hand, 'but we
could not leave the country without coming to thank Lady Kirkaldy for
her kindness in assisting in following up the clue to Mrs. Egremont's
residence.'

'I am very happy,' said Lady Kirkaldy, while all were being seated.

'I think it was here that my nephew Mark first met one whom, child as
he was, he could not but remember.'

'I don't think you met him here,' said Lady Kirkaldy to Mrs. Egremont;
'but he heard the name and was struck by it.'

'Dear Mark!' was the response. 'He was so kind.'

'He is a dear good boy,' chimed in my lady.

'Yes,' said her lord, 'an excellent good fellow with plenty of brains.'

'As he well knows,' said Mr. Egremont. 'Oh yes; I quite agree with all
you say of him! One ought to be thankful for the possession of a rare
specimen.'

It was in the tone in which Falstaff discussed that sober boy, Lord
John of Lancaster. Lord Kirkaldy asked if the visitors were going to
remain long in the neighbourhood.

'We are due in London to-night,' replied Mr. Egremont. 'We shall spend
a day or two there, and then go home. Alice,' he added, though his
wife had never heard him call her so before, 'Lady Kirkaldy knows your
inexperience. Perhaps she would be good enough to give you some
addresses that might be useful.'

'I shall be delighted,' said the lady, cordially looking at the
blushing Mrs. Egremont.

'Dressmaker, and all the rest of