away.

Biddy had set the little tea-table under the acacia-tree; but as Mollie,
blushing and awkward, commenced her arduous duties, she found herself
assisted by the formidable Captain Burnett.

Before half an hour was over Mollie thought him quite the nicest man
that she had ever seen. He was so kind, so helpful; he told such
interesting stories. Mollie forgot her Cinderella rags as she listened.
Her eyes sparkled; a pretty colour came to her face; her rough brown
hair had gleams of gold in it. Mollie did not look plain or awkward
then.

'Her eyes are nice, and she has a sweet voice and a ringing laugh,'
thought Michael as he glanced at her.

How merry they all were! What nonsense they talked, as they sat there
watching some pigeons circling among the arches! The little garden was
still and pleasant. Zack was stretched out beside them, with Booty
curled up near him. Audrey was the first to call attention to the
lateness of the hour.

'We must go home now, Michael,' she said, in a tone of regret, which was
loudly echoed by Mollie and Kester.

Mollie closed the green gate after them; then she rushed back to Kester.

'Do you like him--Captain Burnett, I mean?' she asked eagerly. 'I was so
afraid of him at first; his eyes seem to look one through and through,
even when he says nothing. But he is kind--very kind.'

'Is that all you have found out about him?' returned her brother
contemptuously. 'That is so like a girl! Who cares about his eyes? Do
you know what he is? He is a hero--he has the Victoria Cross. He has
saved a lot of lives. Come here, and I will tell you all about it; it
will make your hair stand on end more than it does now.'

But the story made Mollie cry, and from that hour she and Kester elected
Captain Burnett to the position of their favourite hero.

'We must tell Cyril all about him when he comes home,' observed Mollie,
drying her eyes. 'You are right, Kester. Captain Burnett is quite the
best, and the nicest, and the bravest man I have ever seen.'

'Hear, hear!' interposed Cyril mischievously, thrusting his dark face
out of the dining-room window. He had heard the whole story with a great
deal of interest. And then, as Mollie darted towards him with a little
shriek of assumed anger, he laughed, and sauntered out into the garden.

'Let us do our Greek out here, old fellow,' he said, throwing himself
down on the grass, while Zack jumped on him. 'Have you got some tea for
me, Mollie, or have