ghed Esmeralda sadly. "I intend to bring up Bunting
to agree with all I say, and then there will be some chance of making an
impression. He is left at home, for he is too young to miss us, and it
was bad weather for moving a nursery.

"Now about to-morrow! We have arranged for you to spend the day with
us, and have lunch and dinner in our private room. The servants can eat
up your turkey, or it can wait until the next day. You must come to us
directly after church. What train will you be able to catch?"

Bridgie knitted her brows and looked embarrassed and distressed. The
invitation could not, of course, be accepted, and it was thoughtless of
Esmeralda to have given it under existing circumstances. Had not Sylvia
been introduced as a convalescent, and did not her position on the couch
prove that she was unable for a journey to town? It would make the poor
dear so uncomfortable if she were cited as the obstacle; yet what other
excuse could be made?

Esmeralda had travelled all the way from Knock for the pleasure of
entertaining her brothers and sisters, and would not be lightly turned
from her plans. Bridgie looked across the room, and met Jack's eyes
turned upon her with a flash of indignation in their clear depths.

"Well, Bridgie, you can do as you like, but I give you full notice that
I stay at home!" he said firmly. "I have never yet eaten my Christmas
dinner in an hotel, and I never shall so long as I have a roof of my own
to cover me. Choose between Esmeralda and me; I am the head of the
family, and it is my privilege to play host on such occasions, but if
the house is too small--if we are not grand enough for Mrs Hilliard--"

"Jack!" cried Esmeralda sharply. She pushed her cup on one side, and,
springing across the room to her brother's side, laid her hands on his
shoulders and shook him vigorously to and fro. "Come down this minute
from that high horse! I won't be snubbed, when I've come all the way
over from Ireland to see you. I thought you would like it, dear,
because you enjoyed dining with us so much before, and we should have
been quite private in our own room; but I don't mind where we are, so
long as we are together. We will come and dine with you if you will ask
us. I would far rather have stayed here altogether if you could have
put us up!"

"We could stow you away, but we can't manage the retinue. Miss Trevor
occupies the north-west Tudor corridor, and there is only Pixie's lit