for Mrs. Ross never considered any party complete
without the presence of her eldest daughter. 'We must find out which day
will suit her best.'

'I do not believe Percival will let her come,' returned Audrey calmly.
'He says she is going out too much, and tiring herself dreadfully. I
heard him tell her that he meant to be more strict with her for the
future.'

'Dear Percival, how good he is to her! I always told your father that he
would make her an excellent husband. Your father was not a bit
enthusiastic at first--he liked Percival, and thought him an exceedingly
able man; but he never did think anyone good enough for his girls. You
will find him hard to please when your turn comes, Audrey.'

'My turn will be long in coming,' she replied lightly. 'Well, if
Percival prove himself a tyrant, whom do you mean to have in Gage's
place?' And then they resumed the subject of the dinner-party.

Things turned out as Audrey predicted: Mr. Harcourt would not allow his
wife to accept her mother's invitation.

'She has been over-exerting herself, and must keep quiet,' he said to
his mother-in-law when he next saw her at Hillside. 'I tell her that
unless she is prudent, and takes things more quietly, she will not be
fit for her journey to Scotland--and then all our plans will be upset.'

For a charming arrangement had been made for the summer vacation. Dr.
Ross had taken a cottage in the Highlands for his family, and Mr.
Harcourt had secured a smaller one, about half a mile off, for himself
and his wife. Michael was to form part of the Ross household, and during
the last week or two he and Audrey had been putting their heads together
over a benevolent scheme for taking Kester. There was a spare room in
their cottage, and Mrs. Ross had asked Audrey if she would like one of
her cousins to accompany them. Audrey had hesitated for the moment.
Mollie had been in her thoughts, but when she had hinted at this to
Michael, he had said somewhat decidedly that, in his opinion, Kester
ought to be the one to have the treat.

'He would be company for me, too,' he added, 'when you and your father
go on your fishing expeditions. And he will not be a bad third, either,
when you honour us with your company.'

Audrey had a great wish to take Mollie. She thought how the girl would
enjoy those long rambles across the purple moors, but she was open to
reason: as Michael had pointed out to her, Kester certainly needed the
change more than Mollie