more
annoying to mature women of fourteen than to be treated as if they were
children; and when Mr Vanburgh discussed at length various points of
management on which the future partners were at variance, and gave
valuable suggestions on architectural designs, Christabel screwed up her
eyes at him with her most approving smile, and reflected that seldom, if
ever, had she met a grown-up person with so much common sense! Tea was
brought in for the girls' benefit, and Kitty poured it out, spilling the
milk over the cloth, and covering the wet spot with the muffin dish with
admirable presence of mind. She felt so much at home that she helped
herself to cake a second time without being asked, drank three cups of
tea, and only refrained from a fourth because the pot was drained.
After tea, conversation turned on hobbies, and it being discovered that
one girl had a mania for miniature jugs, and the other for foreign post-
cards, the Italian servant was summoned, and received instructions in
his own tongue, which resulted in an addition being made to each
collection: Kitty returned home hugging "a little d-arling" jug of
Italian pottery, while Chrissie exhibited a Chinese post-card, and
pictures of Mongolian belles printed on transparent rice paper. The
glories of the interview lost nothing from their descriptions; and
Lilias and Elsie sighed continuously until the time came for their own
visit.

In each heart the thought lay concealed that if Mr Vanburgh had been so
kind to the other girls, he must of a surety extend a still greater
favour to herself. The mirror assured Lilias that she was a sight to
"make an old man young"; while Elsie shook her head over the reflection
that only those who have suffered themselves can sympathise with the
woes of others. But, alas! disappointment awaited them; for, strange to
relate, the invalid found Lilias's fragile charms less attractive to his
eye than the healthful vivacity of her sisters; while condolence was so
distasteful to his ears, that he fairly scowled down Elsie's plaintive
assurances of sympathy. As a matter of fact, it was brightness and
amusement of which the recluse was in need; and as the last visitors
were the least humorous members of the family, it followed that their
presence was least welcome. Awkward silence recurred at intervals; and
when the girls rose to say good-bye, no request was made for a further
visit, though a message was sent to Nan, begging her to co