akfast being over the young housekeeper had much to attend to.

Nora held out her hand to Annie, who stooped down and kissed her
affectionately.

"Are you really glad that she is coming?" asked Nora.

"Of course I am, Nonie; she is--" a stab went through Annie's
heart--"she is my best friend."

"Is she really as good as Hester says she is?" continued Nora.

"Yes, yes, better; no one quite knows how good she is."

"I shall be afraid of her," said Nora shuddering. "I hate such perfectly
good people; they make me feel small and mean."

Annie took up a basket of flowers, and began deftly to form them into
wreaths for the further decoration of the ball-room.

"It's dreadful to feel mean," she said almost in a whisper.

"You can't surely know what it means," replied Nora.

"Oh, can't I though; don't let's talk of it any more. I like you in
white, Nora. White, toned with lace and coloured ribbons, makes a
charming dress for you. You have such a pretty face. It is so full of
_esprit_--so _piquant_. Some day you will be a beautiful woman."

"As beautiful as you are?" asked Nora. "I don't desire to be more
beautiful than you."

"In some ways you will be more beautiful," replied Annie. "I don't
pretend that I am not pretty, I know I am; but in some ways you will be
superior to me. You will have a greater air of distinction. _Noblesse
oblige_ will be abundantly manifested in you. Oh, yes," continued Annie,
"it is all very fine for us _parvenus_ to despise race. We don't really
despise it; we adore it, we envy it; we can never, never, never get what
race confers."

"How excitedly you talk," said Nora; "you seem angry about something."

"I am angry with myself," said Annie; "my low ways and my meanness.
_Noblesse oblige_ has nothing to do with me. Now, look here, Nora,
forget all this rubbishy talk; be thankful that you are a beautiful girl
of good family, who could not do a shabby action. I must leave you now,
for Mrs. Willis is coming, and I should like to go into Nortonbury to
meet her."

Annie ran off to find Hester.

"Hester," she exclaimed, "may I go in the carriage to Nortonbury to meet
Mrs. Willis?"

"That is an excellent idea," said Hester; "take Molly with you, the
drive will do her good. I am so busy this morning that I can scarcely be
spared from home. Yes, that is an excellent idea. I was wondering who
would go to meet her."

Molly was very pleased to accompany Annie to Nortonbury, and Annie was
gl