Everard's assumption
of superiority and authority. He had been left the same generous legacy
as the rest of the family, and had only to come back and claim his
portion when he wished. If anybody was to have the Chase, she really
preferred that it should belong to Carmel, who never obtruded her
rights, and seemed ready for her cousins to enjoy the property on an
exact equality with herself. The two girls were great friends: they
would go out riding together while Lilias went shopping in the car with
Cousin Clare; they practised duets, and both made crude attempts at
sketching the house. Their tastes in books and fancy-work were somewhat
similar, and they would sit in the shade in the afternoons stitching at
embroidery and eating chocolates.

Three weeks of the summer holidays passed rapidly away in this fashion.
Carmel was glad to have the opportunity of getting to know the Chase,
and admitted its attractions, though her heart was still in Sicily.

Towards the end of August the party broke up and scattered. Carmel had
received an invitation from English relations of her stepfather to join
them on a motor tour; the three little boys were to be taken to rooms at
the seaside by Miss Mason, their late governess; Lilias and Dulcie went
to stay with friends, and Cousin Clare had arranged to attend a
conference. She agreed, however, that when Lilias and Dulcie returned
from their visit, they should go with her in the car for a week-end to
Tivermouth, to see how the boys were getting on.

"If you'll promise we may stay at an hotel!" stipulated Lilias. "I
wouldn't spend a week-end in rooms with those three imps for the world.
I'd like to see them, but not at too close quarters."

"It's quite improbable that their landlady would have bedrooms for us,"
said Cousin Clare. "So in any case we should be obliged to stop at an
hotel. In this crowded season I shall engage rooms beforehand."

"Hurrah!" triumphed Dulcie, who was anxious for a grown-up experience.
"I must say I hate staying with the boys near the beach; the
sitting-room's always overflowing with their seaweed and other messes."

"What a joke if _I_ were to turn up at the hotel too!" said Carmel. "I
believe the Rogers are going down to Devonshire. I shall tell them the
date you'll be at Tivermouth. They'll possibly like to meet you."

"Oh, do! It would be such fun!" agreed Dulcie. "We'd have an absolutely
topping time together. Persuade them as hard as you can!"

"I'