ut she is one in a thousand for
quickness."

"Seen more of the world than I have?" said Peter, astonished. "Why,
I've been soldiering in South Africa for over two years."

"I don't think soldiering brings much worldly wisdom in its train. I
should be rather sorry to think it did," said Lady Mary, gently. "But
Sarah has been with Lady Tintern all this while."

"A very worldly woman, indeed, from all I have heard," said Miss
Crewys, severely.

"But a very great lady," said Lady Mary, "who knows all the famous
people, not only in England, but in Europe. The daughter of a viceroy,
and the wife of a man who was not only a peer, and a great landowner,
but also a distinguished ambassador. And she has taken Sarah
everywhere, and the child is an acknowledged beauty in London and
Paris. Lady Tintern is delighted with her, and declares she has taken
the world by storm."

"We never thought her a beauty down here," said Peter, rather
contemptuously.

"Perhaps we did not appreciate her sufficiently down here," said Lady
Mary, smiling.

"Why, who is she, after all?" cried Peter.

"A very beautiful and self-possessed young woman, and Lady Tintern's
niece, 'whom not to know argues yourself unknown,'" said Lady Mary,
laughing outright. "John says people were actually mobbing her picture
in the Academy; he could not get near it."

"I mean," said Peter, almost sulkily, "that she's only old Colonel
Hewel's daughter, whom we've known all our lives."

"Perhaps one is in danger of undervaluing people one has known all
one's life," said Lady Mary, lightly.

Peter muttered something to the effect that he was sorry to hear Sarah
had grown up like that; but his words were lost in the tumultuous
entry of Dr. Blundell, who pealed the front door bell, and rushed into
the hall, almost simultaneously.

His dark face was flushed and enthusiastic. He came straight to Peter,
and held out his hand.

"A thousand welcomes, Sir Peter. Lady Mary, I congratulate you. I came
up in my dog-cart as fast as possible, to let you know the people
are turning out _en masse_ to welcome you. They're assembling at
the Crewys Arms, and going to hurry up to the house in a regular
procession, band and all."

"We're proud of our young hero, you see," said the canon; and he laid
his hand affectionately on Peter's shoulder.

"You will have to say a few words to them," said Lady Mary.

"Must I?" said the hero. "Let's go out on the terrace and see what's
goi