's exactly like the father in _Beauty and the Beast_, before he
starts on his travels! I am sure Lettice would like a white moss rose!"
cried Norah roguishly. "As for me, I am afraid it's no use. There is
only one thing I want--lessons from the very best violin master in
London!"

"Three servants who could work by electricity, and not keep me running
after them all day long!"

"Half a dozen big country houses near to us, with sons and daughters in
each, who would be our friends."

They were all breathless with eagerness, and Mr Bertrand listened with
wrinkled brow. He had expected to be asked for articles of jewellery or
finery, and the replies distressed him, as showing that the discontent
was more deepseated than he had imagined. For several moments he sat in
silence, as though puzzling out a difficult problem. Then his brow
cleared, and he smiled, his own, cheery smile.

"Hilary, pack your boxes, and get ready to go up to London with me on
Monday week. If you are seventeen, you are old enough to pay visits,
and we will stay for a fortnight with my old friend Miss Carr, in
Kensington. She is a clever woman, and I will talk to her and see what
can be done. I can't work miracles, but I will do what I can to please
you. May I be allowed to have another cup of tea, Miss Seventeen?"

"Poor, dear, old father! Don't look so subdued. You may have a dozen
if you like. Monday next! How lovely! You are the dearest father in
all the world!"

Mr Bertrand shrugged his shoulders.

"When I give you your own way," he said drily. "Pass the cake, Lettice.
If I have three grown-up daughters on my hands, I must make every
effort to keep up my strength."

Lettice and Norah had a little conversation on the stairs as they went
upstairs to change their dresses for dinner.

"It's very nice for Hilary, this going up to London; but it doesn't do
_us_ any good. When is something going to happen for _us_?"

"I suppose we shall have to wait for our turn," sighed Lettice
dolefully; but that very same evening an unexpected excitement took
place in the quiet household, and though the Mouse's prophecy was
fulfilled, inasmuch as it could hardly be called an incident of a
cheerful nature, it was yet fated to lead to great and far-reaching
results.

CHAPTER THREE.

AN UNEXPECTED GUEST.

The old grandfather's clock was just striking six o'clock when Raymond
and Bob, the two public schoolboys, came home from their after