gned for Neil, to remain
under the same roof with such a person? was her first query. Still, if
Mrs. Smithers, who was a power in the social world, notwithstanding her
connection with trade, had taken her up, and Lady Oakley, too, perhaps
it would be better not to make a scene and show her animosity too much.
She could be barely civil to the woman and cut her visit short on one
pretext or another. Thus deciding, she said:

"Meeting you so suddenly has surprised me very much, Mrs. McPherson. I
hope your husband is well. I knew him when a boy. Perhaps he is in the
drawing-room. I think I will go down, as it is nearly dinnertime," and
bowing stiffly, she went down the stairs, every nerve quivering with
insulted dignity, and not quite certain whether she heard a smothered
laugh or not from the room, where Daisy was shaking with laughter at
what she termed the old cat's discomfiture.

"Nasty thing!" she said "how she hates me, and how little I care! I hope
I sha'n't let her spoil my fun. I have the inside track, and I mean to
keep it!"

Thus deciding, she, too, started for the drawing-room, where the guests
were assembling for dinner, and where Mrs. Smithers, who was by nature
rather officious and anxious to right everything, was explaining to Lady
Jane that she had invited Mr. and Mrs. Archibald McPherson to meet her,
and was descanting upon the beauty and amiability of the latter, whom
her ladyship was sure to like.

"A little too much of a coquette, perhaps," she said, "but so very
pretty and piquant that she cannot help attracting admiration."

"Yes, I know--I have seen her. I made her acquaintance in the upper
hall," Lady Jane answered, coldly, and this saved the embarrassment of
an introduction when Daisy at last appeared, perfectly self-possessed
and graceful, and looking, as Lady Jane unwillingly confessed to
herself, as innocent as a Madonna.

Meanwhile Archie had sought his uncle, resolved to have the awkwardness
of their first meeting over before any prying eyes were upon them. He
found him alone, and, mustering all his courage, went up to him and
offered his hand, as if nothing had ever occured to separate them.

John McPherson had heard from his host that his nephew was there, and
was in a most perturbed state of mind, on his wife's account, rather
than on his own. She would be very indignant, and perhaps do something
rash, he feared, while, for himself he wanted to see the boy, whom he
had always liked.