on of her. At any cost she must
keep herself to the front. At any cost she must assume the power which
she longed for. She was no longer a nursery child. She had won her way
about coming to the seaside; now she must go still further. She must
become a person of the greatest moment to Aunt Sophia. Aunt Sophia held
the keys of power; therefore Penelope determined to devote herself to
her.

The lodgings were extremely cheerful. They were in a terrace overhanging
the sea. From the big bay-windows of the drawing-room you could see the
sunsets. There was a glorious sunset just beginning when Penelope walked
to the window and looked out. Miss Tredgold had secured the best rooms in
this very handsome house, and the best rooms consisted of a double
drawing-room, the inner one of which was utilized as a dining-room; a
large bedroom overhead in which Verena and Pauline slept; and a little
room at the back which she used for herself, and in which now she had
ordered a cot to be placed for Penelope.

Penelope was taken upstairs and shown the arrangements that had been made
for her comfort. Her eyes sparkled with delight when she saw the little
cot.

"There's no time like the night for telling things," she thought to
herself. "Aunt Sophy can't get away from me at night. It's only to stay
awake, perhaps to pertend to have a nightmare. Anyhow, night is the time
to do what I have to do."

Being quite sure, therefore, that she would get her opportunity of
talking to Aunt Sophia, she revived for the time being to enjoy herself.
Her volatile spirits rose. She laughed and talked, and ate an enormous
meal. After the sort of tea-dinner was over the three girls went out by
themselves on the sands.

"You may stay out half-an-hour," said Miss Tredgold: "no longer, for
Penelope has to go to bed. Afterwards I will take a walk with you two
elder ones if you care to have me."

"Of course we care to have you, dear Aunt Sophy," said Verena in her
gentlest tone; and then the three started off. Penelope, in honor of her
recent arrival, was promoted to the place in the middle. She laid a hand
on each sister's arm and swung herself along. People remarked the trio,
and said to themselves what a remarkably fat, healthy-looking little girl
the one in the middle was.

"Well, Pen," said Pauline as they approached the house, having discussed
all sorts of subjects, "I can't see where the tum-ache and the sore
throat and the pale cheeks come in."

"The