And here the thought came into
Horatia's mind that she would certainly be ''Oratia' to her hostess, and
she felt a wild desire to laugh, but valiantly repressed it; for which
she was very thankful when Mrs Clay, with a pretty, pink colour in her
delicate, faded cheeks, said, 'Thank you, my dear; it's a very pretty
name, but it's difficult to remember. I expect I shall always call you
"my dear," as you don't mind, and I am sure you are a very dear young
lady.'

Horatia impulsively threw her arms round Mrs Clay's neck, and, kissing
her, said, 'I am sure I am going to have a lovely time here, and I think
it's awfully good of you to ask me.'

Mrs Clay beamed with delight, and all fears on her part that the visit
would not be a success were over.

Sarah's brow cleared. She was rather surprised that Horatia and her
mother had taken to each other; but so far so well. The worst was--her
father; and Sarah almost longed for dinner-time, so that that meeting
also should be over. 'She won't like him, I know,' she murmured, with a
recollection of a scene at school when a visitor had been presuming in
Horatia's opinion, and she had rather surprised her companions by the
frigid air she assumed. 'He'll offend her, and she will say something,
and, oh dear! I'm sure there will be a scene,' sighed Sarah.

However, dinner was two hours off, and Sarah took Horatia through the
vast corridors and up to the royal rooms, followed by Horatia's old
nurse, who had come in the capacity of maid, and was by her mistress's
orders keeping near her charge till she settled down in her new
surroundings.

Horatia and her maid were both used to large houses, and had stayed at
the ducal mansion of Horatia's relative; but when the door leading into
the royal rooms was opened she gave a cry of admiration. 'But am I to
sleep here? It's far too grand for me, Sarah. And what a big room! I
shall lose myself in it!' she cried.

'My father wished you to have these rooms. There's a bed for your maid
next door, in the dressing-room. My mother thought you might be nervous
in a new house,' explained Sarah.

'How kind you all are! Fancy taking all that trouble about making me
comfortable! I'm afraid I sha'n't be able to give you such a lot of rooms
when you come to stay with us,' said Horatia, as she wandered from room
to room, and stopped first to admire the writing-table with gold
everything, and finally the bathroom with silver fittings.

'I will leave you t