ughly presentable. Alwyn Egremont might have done
worse.'

'The only wonder is he did not!' returned Lady Delmar. 'They make the
best of it here.'

'Very good taste of them. But, now I've seen her, I don't believe
there's anything behind. Very hard upon the poor young man, though it
was all his doing, his mother says. I congratulate you that it had not
gone any farther in that quarter.'

'Oh, dear no! Never dreamt of it. She is May's friend, that's all.'

Nevertheless Lady Delmar made a second descent in person to hurry
Annaple away.

'Isn't it disgusting?' said May, catching her stepmother's smile.

'You will see a good deal more of the same kind,' said the Canoness; 'I
am afraid more mortification is in store for Mark than he guesses. I
wish that girl were more like her mother.'

'Mamma! a girl brought up among umbrella-makers! Just fancy! Why, she
has just nothing in her!'

'Don't set Mark against her, May; he might do worse.'

'Her head is a mere tennis ball,' said May, drawing her own higher than
ever, 'and no one would know her from a shop girl.'

'She is young enough,' said the Canoness. 'Don't class me with Lady
Delmar, May--I only say--if--and that I don't think you realise the
change Mark will feel.'

'Better so than sell himself,' muttered May.

CHAPTER XII.

OUT OF WORK.

'I'm seeking the fruit that's nae growing.'--Ballad.

Society recognised the newcomers. Lady Grosmede's card appeared the
next day, and was followed by showers of others, and everybody asked
everybody 'Have you seen Mrs. Egremont?'

It was well for Alice's happiness even at home that she was a success.
When Alwyn Egremont had been lashed by his nephew's indignant integrity
into tardy recognition of the wife of his youth, it had been as if he
had been forced to pick up a flower which he had thrown away. He had
considerable doubts whether it would answer. First, he reconnoitred,
intending, if he found a homely or faded being, to pension her off; but
this had been prevented by her undeniable beauty and grace, bringing up
a rush of such tender associations as he was capable of. Yet even
then, her position depended on the impression she might make on those
about him, on her own power of self-assertion, and on her contributing
to his comfort or pleasure.

Of self-assertion Alice had none, only a gentle dignity in her
simplicity, and she was so absolutely devoted to him that he found his
house far more