tive relief to be able to vent some of
her pent-up irritation in work, so for the next ten minutes she dragged
and tugged at the piled-up furniture, making order out of confusion, and
carrying the lighter drawing-room articles into the hall, in readiness
to be put into their proper places. Then Maud reappeared, smartened up
by those subtle touches which every woman knows how to bestow, and no
man is able to understand, though the result is patent to his eyes; and
after a second consultation on the subject of dinner, a return was made
to the drawing-room, to see how the carpet-laying was progressing. Ned
Talbot was still on his knees, but now he was fastening instead of
unfastening the rings, while Lilias was exhibiting a cup full of sharp,
jagged little nails. The dreaded task was almost accomplished, and that
in less time than would have been possible with the united efforts of
the feminine household.

"Done already?" cried the new-comers; and Agatha shook her mane with a
melancholy air.

"It's s-imply wondrous! He just pulls, and the thing meets as easy as
winking. It doesn't seem a bit difficult. And to think how we almost
killed ourselves! It's humiliating!"

"Don't feel it so at all. If I am beaten at carpet-laying all my life,
I'll never repine. It's a woman's duty to do nice things, and pleasant
things, and pretty things, and leave the men to do the hard bits," said
Elsie, standing on one leg to relieve the pain which had come from long
kneeling, and looking with melancholy significance at her thin little
arms. "Look at those compared to his! Nature never intended me--"

Ned fastened the last hook, and straightened his back with a sigh of
satisfaction.

"Done! That's all right. I'm glad I came in time, for it's stiffish
work. I am staying in town for a few days, and thought I would chance
it this afternoon, and run down to see you for a few hours."

He looked at Maud as he spoke, and she hesitated uncertainly, thinking
once again of her mother's absence, the disordered rooms, the prescribed
contents of the larder.

"It was very good of you, and we are very pleased. Will you--er--will
you be able to stop and dine?"

"Thank you very much. Your sister has already asked me. If it wouldn't
be giving you too much trouble."

"Oh, no trouble! I mean, of course, we are very much upset, and I don't
quite know what we can give you, but if you will stay we will do our
best!"

"Now, Mr Talbot, l