only found Mark's card on returning just in time to dress.
It was a bright glaring day, and she was sitting by the window, rather
inattentively listening to Mr. Fane's criticism of a new performance at
one of the theatres, when she heard the bell, and there entered the
slight, bright creature who might still have been taken for a mere
girl. The refined though pronounced features, the transparent
complexion, crispy yellow hair and merry eyes, were as sunbeam-like as
at the Rectory garden-party almost five years ago, and the black dress
only marked the contrast, and made the slenderness of the figure more
evident.

Mark looked older, and wrung his cousin's hand with a pressure of
gratitude and feeling, but Annaple's was a light little gay kiss, and
there was an entire unconsciousness about her of the role of poor
relation. She made an easy little acknowledgment of the introduction
of Mr. Fane, and, as Mr. Egremont appeared the next moment, exchanged
greetings with him in a lively ordinary fashion.

This was just what he liked. He only wanted to forget what was
unpleasant, and, giggling Scotch girl as she was, he was relieved to
find that she could not only show well-bred interest in the surface
matters of the time, but put in bright flashes of eagerness and
originality, well seconded by Mr. Dutton. Mr. Fane was always a
professor of small talk, and Nuttie had learnt to use the current
change of society, so that though Mark was somewhat silent, the dinner
was exceedingly pleasant and lively; and, as Mr. Fane remarked
afterwards, he had been asked to enliven a doleful feast to ruined
kindred, he could only say he wished prosperity always made people so
agreeable.

'This is all high spirit and self-respect,' thought Nuttie. 'Annaple
is talking as I am, from the teeth outwards. I shall have it out with
her when we go upstairs! At any rate my father is pleased with her!'

Nuttie made the signal to move as soon as she could, and as they went
upstairs, put her arm round the slim waist and gave a sympathetic
pressure, but the voice that addressed her had still the cheery ring
that she fancied had been only assumed.

'I'm sorry I missed you, but we set out early and made a day of it; and
oh! we've been into such funny places as I never dreamt of! You didn't
see my boy?'

'No. I thought I heard him. I must see him to-morrow.'

'And I must see yours. May it not be a pleasure to-night? I've no
doubt you go and gl