ty, with her big brown eyes. Miles is the
cleverest, but Barbara says such funny things, and the baby is the most
fascinating little rogue. They all came to spend Christmas Day with us,
and it was so delightful!"

The cousins from the Rectory were frequently at the Hall, and were
always ready to make up a set of tennis, or contribute to a musical
evening. There were two girls, who had turned up their hair, and three
boys, who, to Aldred's great astonishment, went to the same school as
Keith, the eldest being actually in both his Form and dormitory. Aldred
was quite excited at the discovery, and only wished her brother could
have been there, to share the pleasure in her new acquaintances.

This holiday at Grassingford was the first visit that Aldred had paid
alone, and she found it delightful to be free from Aunt Bertha's
chaperonage, and a guest on her own account. It marked an epoch in her
life to be thus transplanted into somebody else's home, and to see other
people's ways. One thing that particularly struck her was that, in spite
of their wealth and position, the Farringtons were extremely natural and
unaffected. Mabel seemed quite accustomed to wait upon herself, and very
ready to perform little services for others; and the family life was so
simple, it might have served as a model for any cottage in the village.
Aldred began to understand why Lady Muriel had selected Miss Drummond's
school for Mabel, and to see in many of the arrangements at Birkwood the
strong influence emanating from Grassingford.

She was very quick at picking up new ideas, and learnt many things at
the Hall that she had not known before, whether points of social
etiquette or fresh channels of thought.

"We shall make you into quite an antiquarian yet," said Mr. Farrington,
who enjoyed explaining his curios to an interested listener. "You're
already beginning to note the difference between Etruscan and Roman
ornamentation, and to recognize a Greek coin when you see it. Tell your
father to take you abroad when Miss Drummond has finished with you. It's
the best coping-stone to put on any girl's education, and enlarges her
mind in a wonderful way. In my opinion, six months on the Continent,
studying the museums and art galleries, is worth three years at college.
If he hasn't time to take you himself, he'd better let you go with us,
and be a companion for Mabel."

"Oh, that would be too absolutely glorious!" exclaimed Aldred, with
sparkling ey