I have had the heartiest laughs I have
known for months past, thinking of the tragic incident of the scarlet
slippers!"

"Please don't!" said Hilary; but she laughed as she spoke, and so far
from being offended, was quite thankful to hear that she had been the
means of giving some amusement to the new friend. "I have been hearing
all about you from father," she continued, nodding her head at him
cheerily. "He has promised to give me one of your books to read when we
get back to Clearwater. Will you please write your name in my autograph
book? I brought it downstairs on purpose. There are pens and ink on
this little table."

Mr Rayner smiled, but made no objections. He took a very long time
over the signature, however, and when Hilary took up the book, she saw
that each leg of the H ended in the shape of a dainty little shoe, so
finely done that it would probably escape the notice of anyone who was
not critically inclined.

"Too bad," she cried laughingly; "I am afraid you are going to be as
persistent as father in keeping up the joke."

"They are the proper slippers, you observe--not the woollen atrocities,"
replied Mr Rayner; and Hilary was still rejoicing in the discovery that
he could be mischievous like other people, when the door opened, and her
father came rushing into the room.

Luncheon was served immediately afterwards, and when it was over, Mr
Bertrand carried off the young man to have a private talk in the
library. They did not make their appearance until the afternoon was
well advanced, and when they did, the drawing-room was full of people,
for it was Miss Carr's "At home" day, and the presence of Austin
Bertrand, the celebrated novelist, brought together even more visitors
than usual.

Hilary had not found the entertainment at all amusing. It seemed absurd
to her innocent mind that people should come to see Miss Carr, and
exchange no further word with her than "How d'you do," and "Good-bye,"
and though the hum of conversation filled the room, most of the visitors
were too old and too grand to take any notice of a girl just out of the
schoolroom. A few young girls accompanied their mothers, but though
they eyed Hilary wistfully, they would not speak without the
introduction which Miss Carr was too busy to give. One girl, however,
stared more persistently than the rest, and Hilary returned her scrutiny
with puzzled curiosity. She was a tall, elegant girl, but there was
something in the wa