ylmer the less on this occasion had many wild and exciting
thoughts with regard to Miss Pratt and the other neighbors at Dawlish,
also with regard to Sukey; but still, her thought above all other
thoughts was the consciousness that soon her beloved child would be
done honor to, and her eyes, silly enough in expression, were now so
full of love that many people thought her a good-natured and
pleasant-looking woman, and in reality gave her far kinder thoughts
than they did to Mrs. Aylmer the great, whose cold face would never
shine with any human feeling, and whose motives could be easily read by
the proud county folk.

As Florence slowly entered the room, accompanied by Kitty and Mary, a
little buzz of applause greeted the three graceful girls as, in their
Greek costumes, they glided slowly forward and took their places at the
little desks placed for them. Florence for one wild moment glanced at
her mother, and the love and longing and delight in the little Mummy's
face did more to reconcile her present evil plight than anything else.

"There," she whispered under her breath, "in for a penny, in for a
pound. I cannot break the heart of the little Mummy--I can't--I won't."

A peculiar expression stole round her lips, her eyes grew feverishly
bright, she looked handsome, and Mrs. Aylmer the great felt justly very
proud of her.

"She is tall, her figure is improving every day; she will be a very
good-looking girl by and by--what is more, a stylish one," thought Aunt
Susan.

But most of the guests scarcely looked at Florence, for their eyes were
attracted by the sweet expression, the inimitable grace of Kitty
Sharston.

Florence's cheeks were deeply flushed, her eyes so bright that they
looked dark as night; but Kitty, equally excited, her heart beating,
every nerve highly strung, only showed her excitement by a dewy look in
the great big grey eyes, and a wild-rose bloom on the delicate cheeks.

Mary's downright appearance did not attract comment one way or the
other. All three were pronounced nice-looking, ladylike girls, and now
the guests bent forward to listen to the _viva voce_ examination, which
immediately began.

CHAPTER XX.

"THE HILLS FOR EVER."

The examination began and was continued amidst a profound silence on
the part of all the spectators. Necks were craned forward and ears
were at attention point. When Florence answered a question correctly
Mrs. Aylmer the less nodded her little head