, for I've three separate hair-pins sticking into my
scalp at the present moment. Jim took me to my first dance when he was
at home for Christmas. It was s-imply lovely! I was awfully nervous,
for I generally manage to make an idiot of myself if I get a chance; but
I got on finely. I fell down full length as I was entering the room,
but that was only because the floor was so beautifully polished. I
danced every single dance--all waltzes, and the most ex-quisite music.
I was introduced to an awfully nice man. He had ears like windmills,
and the biggest mouth I ever saw; but he could dance! We went on, and
on, and on, as long as the music lasted, and never stopped once; and
when it came to an end I was as red as a lobster. It was simply
lovely!"

Elsie smiled in an elderly and forbearing manner.

"More than you were, I expect. I can just imagine how you looked, with
your hair all wild, and a crimson face above your white dress. You
never think about your appearance, Nan."

"Hope I never may. I haven't one to think about, and that's a blessing!
It would be so boring to be pretty, and to have to worry about clothes
and complexion. I'm thankful there's none of that nonsense about me,"
cried Nan, beaming; and every one of the listeners thought how pretty
she looked at that moment, as she tossed her saucy head and smiled her
dimpling smile; but they would not for the world have said so, and
spoilt the charm of her unaffected self-depreciation. Christabel seized
the opportunity, and took up the thread of conversation before any one
else had time to come forward.

"Mr Talbot, I've been waiting to ask you a question. Do you know
anybody called Vanburgh? The Grange is let at last, and the gentleman's
name is Vanburgh. We are simply aching to get to know something about
them. The furniture has arrived, but nobody is in the house yet, except
the servants. We made up our minds that there would be a family of
daughters, but we begin to have qualms." Chrissie was obviously pleased
with the effect of that last expressive word, and repeated it once more
with artistic relish. "Qualms, yes! Decided qualms. The furniture is
so massive. We can't see anything at all that would suit a girl's
room."

"I can't give you any help on that point, Chrissie. You can judge
better than I; but Vanburgh is an uncommon name, so we ought to be able
to find out something about them. Do you happen to know where they have
been li