each other as they drive away, `Plain, heavy-looking girl that youngest!
They will never be able to do anything with her.' Ha, ha!" and Madge
laughed in a mocking, derisive fashion, which brought an answering
flicker of amusement to the anxious faces of her companions. It was
evident that she fully expected an hour to come when her relatives would
be stupefied to discover the genius of the age in the "plain,
heavy-looking girl" whom they had despised, and it said volumes for her
attainments that the prospect seemed within range of possibility to more
than one of her audience.

Theo, however, had an objection to make. "I think you are very foolish
if you do anything of the kind," she said severely. "We ought to make
the best of ourselves, not the worst, if we want them to agree to our
plan. They know that we are poor and have lived in the country all our
lives, and I suppose they imagine that we are great, awkward, clownish
creatures who know nothing about society or how things should be done.
I vote we surprise them. Let's all put on our nicest things, and make
the house look its very, very best, and prepare a _chic_ little
luncheon, and give them coffee afterwards; and let them see that we
don't require any patronage, and are quite able to take care of
ourselves. I'm sure that's the best plan; isn't it, Phil?"

"I don't know, I'm sure. Go your own ways. You want to appear better
than you are; Madge wants to appear worse. I'm going to be myself--
horribly myself! I don't feel that I can pretend one bit. It's all
very well for you; you are only standing on the ramparts. I have to go
down and fight the battle," cried poor Philippa dismally, and Hope's arm
stole round her waist with a close, encouraging pressure.

Hope was so sorry for every one in turn that she had no time to be sorry
for herself. "It will soon be over," she whispered fondly. "Cheer up,
Phil! By this time to-morrow they will have come and gone."

CHAPTER THREE.

A FAMILY CONCLAVE.

Mr and Mrs Loftus arrived by the morning train, and drove up to The
Cottage in the ancient village fly. Uncle Edward wore a black band
round his hat; Aunt Gertrude an elaborately trimmed black gown, which
had obviously _not_ been bought for mourning. They stared curiously at
the house as they approached, and from behind the blind in the front
bedroom four pairs of eyes stared even more curiously at them.

"Thin lips and a sharp nose! Face like a h