s, with a white straw hat wreathed with
daisies, and her golden locks floating past her waist, made a charming
picture of youth and happiness as she sat in the old barouche, and when
the hall was reached Aunt Maria cast a keen glance around the grounds,
transparently eager to discover the young people and share in the fun of
the meeting.

Ralph was nowhere to be seen, that was _not_ to be wondered at under the
circumstances, but the two girls were on duty on the tennis-lawn in
front of the house, ready to come forward and welcome their guest
immediately upon her arrival.

The blank gapes of bewilderment with which they witnessed the alighting
of the radiant blue and gold apparition afforded keen delight both to
aunt and niece. They were literally incapable of speech, and even after
Aunt Maria had driven away, coughing in the most suspicious manner
behind a raised hand, even then conversation was of the most jerky and
spasmodic kind. It was amusing enough for a time, but for a whole
afternoon it would certainly pall, and Darsie _did_ want to enjoy
herself when she had a chance. She decided that it was time to put
matters on a right footing, and looked smilingly to right and left, at
her embarrassed, tongue-tied companions.

"I think," said Darsie politely, "that I owe you an explanation!"

She explained, and Noreen and Ida pealed with laughter, and danced up
and down on the gravel path, and slid their hands through her arm,
vowing undying friendship on the spot.

"How per-fectly killing! I do _love_ a girl who is up to pranks.
_What_ a prank! How you _must_ have felt when you saw us sitting there!
And Lady Hayes--what _did_ she say? Was she per-fectly furious?"

"Aunt Maria behaved like an angel, a dignified angel! I never liked her
so much. How did _you_ feel? Tell me just exactly your sentiments when
you saw me walking into that room?"

"I certainly did feel upset, because we _had_ to ask you! Mother said
we must, and we asked each other what on _earth_ should we do with you
all day long. Ida did say that your eyes were pretty. She was the only
one who stuck up for you at all! I thought you looked too appalling for
words."

"What did your brother say?" asked Darsie with natural feminine
curiosity, whereupon Noreen answered with unabashed candour--

"He said you were `a rummy little frump,' and that he would take very
good care to have an engagement for to-day as many miles as possible
away from