The future was discussed in
detail, and plans made which revolutionised more and more her future
life, for Lady Hayes seemed to take for granted that in taking upon
herself the responsibility for the girl's education she had earned a
certain right to her society. Such phrases as "And in the holiday-time
we can discuss," "When you are here in the summer vacation," "I shall
look forward to hearing your descriptions," could not be misunderstood,
but for the moment the big gain outweighed the loss, and Darsie smiled
on unperturbed. In time to come the sacrifice of merry family holidays
would of a certainty demand its toll of suffering, but why encourage
trouble that lay ahead when the present was so blissfully full of
contentment?

When lunch was over Darsie tucked her hostess on the sofa, and hailed
with delight the opportunity of a free hour in which to dream
uninterrupted over the wonderful development of the day.

"I'll go out and walk it off. I'll rush down to the village and
telegraph home. I can't possibly wait to write. How can I put it so
that it will be plain enough and not too plain? `Newnham ahoy!' `I'm
off to Newnham College in the morning!' `Plans for Newnham
satisfactorily arranged. Break news to Hannah.' _Won't_ they stare!
It's a blessing that neither Clemence nor Lavender would care to go if
they had the chance, so they won't be jealous, but Hannah _will_ jump.
And Dan--what will Dan say? It is good luck knowing the boys so well.
We'll make them take us about. To think that I was so furious and
rebellious about this visit, and that it should have ended like this!
It will be a lesson to me for life!"

It was very pleasant to ride through the sweet smelling lanes on this
bright summer afternoon; very pleasant work sending off that telegram to
the parents at the seaside, and drawing mental pictures of the
excitement and rejoicings which would follow its arrival; pleasant to
meet on every side kindly, interested glances, and to realise that if
she were, as Noreen had declared, "the pet of the county," she was
assuredly also "the heroine of the village."

It was a temptation to linger in the quaint little streets; but on this
afternoon of all others Darsie was anxious not to be late for tea, so,
with a sigh of regret, she turned up a side lane leading to the field
path to the Manor, and in so doing came face to face with Ralph
Percival, who, in his lightest and most sporting attire, was escort