lingly be out, so I
will keep in those two days. Now, I positively must not keep you
standing under this hedge any longer; but I feel all the better for this
nice little talk.' And after a few more parting words Mrs. Blake went on
her way, and Audrey unlocked the gate of Mrs. Williams' cottage.

The short interview with Mrs. Blake had been satisfactory; her request
had been granted without demur or difficulty. Mrs. Blake had shown
herself in a sensible light. Audrey's benevolence had now a new object;
she would spare no pains or trouble with this poor neglected child. To
meditate fresh acts of kindness always stirred Audrey's pulses as though
she had imbibed new wine. Her sympathetic temperament felt warmed,
vivified, exhilarated, as she stooped to enter the low room where Rhoda
Williams was expecting her.

Audrey looked forward rather anxiously to her mother and Geraldine's
visit. She watched them set out with secret perturbation. They were to
call at one or two places besides, but Mrs. Ross assured her very
seriously that they would be back to tea; and as Geraldine seemed to
consider this as a matter of course, Audrey got over her own business as
soon as possible, so as to be back at Woodcote at the same time.

Michael had gone up to town for two or three days, and was not expected
home until Monday. Dr. Ross rarely made his appearance in his wife's
drawing-room until late in the evening, and, as no casual visitors
dropped in, Audrey would be able to cross-examine them to her heart's
content. But she knew her mother well enough to be sure that no
questions would be needed. Even if Geraldine were inclined to be
reserved, to keep her opinions for her husband's ear, Mrs. Ross would be
sure to discourse very readily on her own and Geraldine's doings.

'Well, my dear,' she said in her cheery way, as she entered the room,
'here we are, as punctual as possible, and quite ready for a nice cup of
tea. Of course Mrs. Fortescue was out--she always is--and Mrs. Cardell
was just going out, so we would not detain her; and Mrs. Charrington had
her room full of visitors, so we would not stay long there.'

'Of course, as Lady Mountjoy was there, no one else had a chance of
getting a word with Mrs. Charrington,' observed Geraldine, with rather a
discontented air.

'My love, I am sure Mrs. Charrington was as nice as possible to you; you
know what a favourite you are with her. But a person like Lady Mountjoy
is always so embarrassi