te distinguished looking," he said to
himself; "she inherits a good deal of her mother's grace, and although
she will never be exactly pretty, she is very aristocratic in
appearance. She has a good figure, too--graceful and lithe. Even beside
Miss Forest, who is a regular beauty of the piquant gipsy order, she
quite shows to advantage. Presently we may be able to get her presented,
and, if necessary, we must have a house in town for three months in the
season. (I shall detest it, but Laura says it is inevitable.) Yes, I'm
sure I have done right. Hester is such a sensible girl that she will
probably be glad of my news; yes, it is evidently my duty to take Hester
into society, and Laura is just the woman to take all the care and worry
off my hands. I should never have thought of marrying again if it were
not for Hester and Nan, but no one can say that I shirk a father's
duties. Now I must break it to Hetty, for Laura says she will be here on
Saturday. I would rather she did not bring her daughter with her, but
she evidently has not the least intention of coming anywhere without
Antonia. Dear, dear, I hope Hester will be sensible. I don't want a bad
quarter of an hour."

Sir John had now reached the two girls. He had quite forgotten his
dislike to Annie, and smiling at her, asked her in his gracious way why
she did not offer him a rosebud.

She picked one at once, and he got her to place it in his button-hole.

"Thank you," he said with a smile; "your taste is admirable, and now I
have a favour to ask of you."

"Granted, of course," said Annie with a smile.

"I want to deprive you of Hetty's company for a quarter of an hour. I
have some domestic matters to discuss with my fair housekeeper."

"You can arrange the flowers, Annie," called Hester, dropping her basket
as she spoke, and going up to her fathers side.

He drew her hand through his arm and they walked across the lawn
together.

"I have just been admiring you and your friend," he said. "Do you know,
Hester, that you really grow very nice looking."

Hester flushed with a strange mingling of irritation and elation.

To be praised by her fastidious father was something to be remembered,
but she always shrank from having her personal appearance commented
upon.

Sir John turned round now and smiled into her blushing face.

"Come down this shady walk with me," he said. "I have a good deal to
talk over with you. Hester, you and Nan have always found me a kind