mother and lived very much at home and
was just 21 years of age. The youngest son Frederick who was Isobel's
junior by 4 years was still at school.

Isobel, who at the time my story opens had just attained the age of 20
years was 5 feet 3 inches in height, she had thick dark hair fashionably
dressed and a massive fringe over her stately forehead. She had
bewitching brown eyes from which long lashes swept her cheeks. She had
an aqueline nose and a bright complextion. She had nice feet and was
fairly podgy.

It was 10 o'clock on the morning after the ball, when Colonel Saunders
came into the breakfast room with an open letter in his hand.

"Here is some news for you Isobel" he said "Your aunt Miss Vickers
intends favouring us with one of her weekly visits she will arrive this
afternoon by the 3 o'clock train, so mind and have everything ready or
there will be a fine fuss."

"Oh dear" exclaimed Isobel preparing to pour out the whisky for her
father. "I always dread Aunt Sophia's visits."

"Yes indeed she is an old nuisance but we must make the best of her and
after all a week is not long."

"That is true" replied Isobel "but still it adds to my other troubles."
and with a sigh she ran up to prepare the bedroom.

The town clock was striking 4 when a cab drew up at Vebena Villa and
Isobel flew to open the front door.

"How are you dear Aunt! she exclaimed.

"Well my dear I am not as well as might be expected. I have had a severe
cold and my servants have worried me so much I thought a week's rest
might do me good" answered the fidgety dame hastening into the drawing
room and taking a seat she proceeded to give Isobel a list of all her
complaints and when she had come to an end of them she turned to her
niece saying "Please tell Jane to take my box up and then after I have
had some tea I will go to bed, I have had a long and fatiging journey."

Here will be a good time to explain Miss Vickers, she was tall and
angular and thin with black hair slightly grey which she wore in an
untidy nob behind, she had dark piercing eyes that always seemed to find
out other people's business.

Isobel smiled as the door closed on the tall and portly frame of her
aunt and she began to re-arrange the room which already in 10 minutes
Miss Vickers had turned upside down.

CHAPTER 5

AFTER THE BALL (_continued_)

Whilst this scene was taking place at Vebena Villa, a very different one
was going on at Yellowflower Hall.