y relieved when
Avice came forward to take her cousin upstairs to dress for dinner.

The room which had been set apart for Hope was one of the smallest and
least handsomely furnished in the house, as became the abode of a poor
relation; but it looked attractive enough, all the same, with a bright
little fire burning in the grate and the curtains drawn cosily over the
windows. Hope's box had already been unpacked, and as there could be no
question of "What will you wear for dinner?" there lay the black silk on
the bed, solid and sober. Avice glanced at it carelessly.

"Oh yes, that will do very well. We shall be quite alone," she said,
with a nod; then leant against the mantelpiece and smiled at her cousin
with languid friendliness. She gave the impression of wishing to be
really kind, but of lacking the energy to put her intention into effect;
as a matter of fact, the girl was too anaemic to feel keen interest in
anything or anybody. "Sure you have all you want? If you require
anything just ring, and it will be brought to you at once. You needn't
be downstairs for an hour and a half. There are some books over there
if you would like to read."

"Couldn't you stay and talk to me?" asked Hope shyly; but Avice thought
not--thought she had better lie down--thought there would be plenty of
time to talk another day, and glided listlessly away, leaving the
new-comer chilled and disappointed.

A little reading; a home letter written with a "detaily" description of
journey, arrival, and first impressions; a careful if simple toilet,
made short work of the hour and a half's waiting, and Hope stopped shyly
out of her room to find her way along the corridor. Half-way down a
door creaked, a pair of dark eyes peered cautiously forth, followed by
the whole of a curly dark head, and Miss Brunette's voice accosted her
with the ease and geniality of an old acquaintance.

"There you are! I have been looking out for you for an age! Do come
and lace up my dress, there's a kind creature! I have rung the bell
three times over, but I suppose it is broken, as nobody has appeared. I
didn't bring a maid with me this time; did you?"

"I? A maid! I never possessed such a thing in my life," cried Hope,
laughing; at which Miss Brunette stared, looked her critically up and
down, and affected to frown.

"Really? But then it doesn't matter to you. You are one of those
exasperating people who can't help looking nice, whatever they