tly concealed by a mantle of
the unapproachable pink which suggests Persia, all as gorgeous in apparel
as the blue and yellow macaw on his pole, and the green and scarlet
lories in their cage. Owen made a motion of smoking with Honor's
parasol, whispering, 'Fair Fatima! what more is wanting?'

'There! I've got Lolly out!' cried Horatia, advancing with her vehement
cordiality, and grasping their hands with all her might; 'I would have
come and pulled you up the river, Miss Charlecote, but for imperative
claims. Here's some tea for you; I know you must be parched.'

And while Mrs. Charteris, scarcely rising, held out her ring encrusted
fingers, and murmured a greeting, Ratia settled them all, pushed a chair
behind Miss Charlecote, almost threw Phoebe on a cushion, handed tea,
scolded Owen, and rattled away to Lucilla with an impetus that kept
Phoebe in increased wonder. It was all about the arrangements for the
morrow, full of the utmost good-nature and desire to secure every one's
pleasure, but all discussed in a broad out-spoken way, with a liberal use
of slang phrases, and of unprefaced surnames, a freedom of manner and
jovial carelessness of voice that specially marked Rashe Charteris at
home.

Phoebe had a good deal of opportunity for these observations, for as soon
as her stream of information was exhausted, Rashe jumped up and insisted
on conducting the guests round the hothouses and pleasure-grounds. She
knew Miss Charlecote was a famous hand at such things. Lucilla remained
on the grass, softly teasing Lolly about the exertions of the morrow, and
Owen applying himself to the care of Honor, Rashe took possession of
Phoebe with all the tyrannous good-nature that had in baby days rendered
her hateful to Lucilla. She showed off the parrots and gold fish as to a
child, she teased the sensitive plant, and explained curiosities down to
the level of the youthful intellect; and Phoebe, scientific enough to
know if she went wrong in botany or locality, began a word or two of
modest suggestion, only to be patronizingly enlightened, and stopped
short, in the fear of pedantry. Phoebe had yet to learn the ignorance of
the world.

At last, with a huge torrent of explanations and excuses, Ratia consigned
the two guests to share the same bedroom and dressing-room. The number
of gentlemen visitors had necessitated close packing, and Cilly, she
said, had come to sleep in her room. Another hope had failed! But at
the m