h girl, and three over. The
Simpsons alone have promised to bring six."

The Simpsons were new people at Bundaboo, which Mr Thornycroft had let.
He now lived at Redford--in a third part of the great house, the other
two-thirds being closed. He was not coming to the ball, Alice said.
"Getting too old for balls."

In their white frocks and flowers, the friends went to the
drawing-room, and in the thick of the arrivals Jim brought up from the
bachelors' quarters the six Bundaboo young men. Mrs Simpson introduced
them to Mrs Urquhart and her bevy of assistant hostesses.

"Mr Leader--Mr Henry Leader--down from Queensland; Mr
Parkinson--English--globe-trotter; my two sons, whom you know; my
nephew, Mr Breen."

Thus do the sportive Fates love to make mock of the most carefully-laid
family plans!

Rose and Peter faced each other, sharing one blush between them. Their
natural pleasure and astonishment was only equalled by their mutual
admiration.

"What a little love she is in that pretty gown," thought he, a
connoisseur in gowns. And "Who would take him for a draper now?"
thought she, noting the vigorous frame and the perfect correctness of
its garb. As a matter of fact, no one did take him for a draper, and no
one cared what he was, since he was Mrs Simpson's nephew and a man.

As soon as it was understood that a previous acquaintanceship existed
between them, Rose was given Peter to take care of--to show round and
introduce. They walked off, elated.

"Well, I never expected to see you here!" said she.

"Nor I you," said he. "I thought I was never going to see you any more."

"How is your mother? How is dear Bruce? Will anyone take him for walks
while you are away? How terribly he will miss you!"

"Well, it is something to be missed, even by a dog."

"What a nice face your aunt has! Is she your father's--?"

"No, my mother's. They are very much alike. But--you don't know my
mother--"

The blessed Urquhart children romped up to them at this opportune
moment, thrusting forward their basket of programmes. Rose and Peter
each took a card, and Peter proceeded to business.

"With pleasure," said Rose. And then: "Oh, if you like."--"Well, only
one more round one."--"I belong to the house, and must distribute
myself."--"No, no, that's enough; leave room for all the nice girls I
am going to introduce you to--Miss Alice Urquhart--Mr Breen, dear--Mrs
Simpson's nephew, and a friend of mine in town."

It slipped out un