sms
into words, but his face spoke volumes, and certain historic occasions,
when she had sat smarting beneath the consciousness of a missing button
or a crooked tie, had made a lasting impression on the mind of the
careless young woman. Nowadays, however fleeting might be her visit to
the Grange, she never went without a careful examination of her
appearance. A shop window answered the purpose of a mirror, if nothing
better could be found, and one morning, as Agatha and Christabel walked
along the village street, they had been reduced to a state of speechless
amazement by discovering Nan twisting and turning before the wired
windows of the Bank, with as much concern for her appearance as though
she had been Lilias herself.

On the present occasion there were only a few stray locks to be pinned
in order, and then the glass reflected a charming picture of happy
girlhood. The pique skirt was fresh and neat; the pink shirt belted in
by a natty white band, and the dark hair curled softly round the fresh
bright face. Nan stared at herself solemnly, contorting her face into
the curious, strained expression with which nine women out of ten regard
themselves in a mirror, twisted round, to be sure that her belt showed
no unsightly gap, pulled her tie accurately into the middle of her
collar, and finally fastened on a sailor hat, and ran gaily across the
street. She did not go to the front door this time, for--unique and
extraordinary sign of favour--to her, and to her alone, had been granted
permission to use the garden gate, enter the house by the side door, and
so make her way upstairs unannounced. Mr Vanburgh had been anxious to
put every facility in his favourite's way, for only an invalid can
appreciate the brightness which had come into his life since this merry-
hearted girl had taken compassion upon his loneliness. To see her
bonnie face peering in at the door, to hear her ringing laugh, and
listen to her voice, was better than any tonic, and seemed to put fresh
strength into his feeble body.

Up the stairs, then, Nan ran, and made straight for the study where the
invalid spent his afternoons. The door was closed, but to wait to
announce her arrival by a knock was a proceeding far too dignified for
one of her impetuous nature; she merely turned the handle, thrust a
mischievous face round the corner, and announced boldly, "I've come to
tea!"

There was no answering exclamation of delight, and Nan had just
disco