as I was not sure what you and
Frances would wish about it. It is an invitation for you all--Eugene
too--to spend Christmas at Robin Redbreast. Christmas _time_, I should
say. Lady Myrtle invites you all three for a week, and Jacinth for a
fortnight. What do you say?'

Frances said nothing, but Jacinth looked up quickly.

'I think it would be unnatural for us all to go away from you for
Christmas, Aunt Alison,' she said.

Miss Mildmay smiled.

'A lonely Christmas would be nothing new to me, my dear child,' she
said; but she spoke without any bitterness.

'_I'll_ stay with you, Aunt Alison,' said Frances, eagerly. 'I really
don't care about going to Robin Redbreast, and it's Jacinth Lady Myrtle
wants. Do let me and Eugene stay here; Eugene needn't be told about it
at all.'

'Thank you, my dear,' said their aunt. 'Thank you both. But--do not
think me ungracious--when I spoke of a lonely Christmas, I only meant
that I have not been used to a family party. I am always very happy and
very busy on Christmas--and I think I should be missed if I were not
here. I should have told you that Lady Myrtle very kindly invites me
too--for Christmas Day--but that would not suit me at all. I _must_ be
here in the evening, and indeed I am wanted all day; but I was trying to
arrange to do less, so as to be with you three in the afternoon at
least.'

'Then--to put it plainly--it would be rather a relief to you for us all
to be away?' asked Jacinth.

'Well, yes--in a sense it would. That is to say, if I knew you were
happy and well looked after,' said Miss Mildmay, smiling again.

'There, Francie,' said Jacinth, 'you see it is much the best thing that
could have happened. And of course you and Eugene must come. I suppose
we shall take Phebe, Aunt Alison?'

'Certainly, my dear.'

The mention of Phebe seemed to cheer Frances. 'I shouldn't mind so much,
if Eugene and I could go walks,' she said. 'But you know, Aunt Alison,
Jass _must_ be a great deal with Lady Myrtle, and I shouldn't know what
to do all day, and Eugene wouldn't either.'

'It'll be all right, you'll see,' said Jacinth, who, now that she was
satisfied as to her aunt, felt in high spirits. 'You can go about just
as you like with Phebe, and it's only for a week. I don't think I should
stay more than a week, Aunt Alison?'

'I cannot say,' her aunt replied. 'I almost think you should, if Lady
Myrtle wishes it. That week--the week after Christmas week--I think I
coul