e you to come in till you
have got leave from--from your parents or your guardians. When I was a
child I would not have entered any stranger's house without leave, and I
approve of strict ways of bringing up children.'

The girls listened respectfully, making a little sign of assent. But
Eugene's whole attention had been given to the milk and cakes. Now that
his thirst was satisfied, he began to think about others, and for the
first time found his voice.

'Mayn't Phebe have some milk and cake, too, please?' he said. 'We've
been a drefful long walk. I'm sure Phebe's firsty too.'

Phebe blushed scarlet, but in spite of her terror, her good manners--and
she was a specially good-mannered girl--did not forsake her.

'Master Eugene, my dear,' she said quietly. 'You forget I am not a
little young gentleman like you.--If I might take his glass and plate to
the arbour, my lady, he would be very happy, and out of the way.'

Lady Myrtle smiled benignly. She liked 'tact.'

'Certainly, my good girl,' she said, 'and take a glass and some cakes
for yourself too.--That is a nice-mannered girl,' she added to Jacinth
and Frances. 'She is both modest and sensible.'

'Yes,' said Jacinth, 'we like her very much. Aunt Alison got her for us
before we came here.'

Lady Myrtle's face grew grave.

'Is Aunt Alison the relation you live with?' she asked. 'Is her name Mrs
Alison? And where and with whom did you live before? Have you no
parents? I am not asking out of curiosity, but because I think you must
be related to a very dear friend of mine--now dead.' Here her breath
seemed to catch her voice. 'I may be mistaken, but I do not think so.'

'Our parents are in India,' said Jacinth. 'Our father is Colonel
Mildmay, and Aunt Alison is his sister. Alison is her first name. We
have only lived with her since our--grandmother, Mrs Denison, died.'

'_Denison!_' repeated Lady Myrtle, 'I was sure of it. But _Mrs_ Denison?
I cannot understand it. Are you not making a mistake, my dear? Are you
sure that your grandmother was _Mrs_ Denison? Was she not'----

'Mrs Denison was only our _step_-grandmother,' interrupted Jacinth,
eagerly. Frances could not blame her now for explaining this! 'She was
very good to us, but--she wasn't our own grandmother. _She_ died before
we were born. She was mamma's mother, and I am called after her. She was
Lady Jacinth Denison, and'----

'I knew it,' exclaimed the old lady. 'And her name before she was
married wa