e all such a lot of slow coaches."

"County people, you know," said Antonia with a slight sneer, "are always
a little slow to us _parvenus_; we're so wonderfully fresh, you know;
not worn out like the poor county folk."

"You can call yourself a _parvenu_ if you like," said Susy in a rage,
"but I decline to allow the name to be applied to me; however, I think
I'll go back to father to-morrow, and I may as well take advantage of
your escort."

"That's what I thought. Get your maid to pack your things, for we shall
be off by the first train, remember. By the way, did you hear from your
father with regard to your letter?"

"Yes, I heard this morning."

"Well, what did he say?"

"He says he is sorry I don't like the Towers, but he doesn't see how he
is to get out of the purchase now. He is to take possession in a little
over a month."

"What a horrible future for you," said Antonia. "That musty old
place--the ghost in the tower--the family feud----"

"What do you mean by the family feud?"

"Oh, a little arrangement lately entered into by the younger Lorrimers
for your benefit. I'm not bound to repeat it, but I can truly say I
shouldn't like the little formula they have made up to be chanted
nightly about me. Frankly, Susy, I pity you. You must hate the idea of
going to the Towers."

"Yes, I loathe it," said Susy.

"The best thing you can do is to see your father, and have a very
serious talk. Its settled that you come back with us to-morrow. That's
right. Ta-ta for the present."

Antonia left the room.

She stood for a moment by herself in one of the passages.

"Who would have thought," she murmured to herself, "that I, Antonia
Bernard Temple, would devote myself to anything except the services of
high Art. Here am I absolutely wearing myself out and devising the most
horrible plots and stratagems, all for the sake of an ugly duckling.
Shall I succeed? Yes, I think so. Matters move in the right direction.
Susy hates going to the Towers; the Lorrimers hate leaving the Towers.
Sir John Thornton has more money than he knows what to do with. Surely
some scheme can be suggested to keep the old family in the old place.
When we are in town, we can soon get to know Squire Lorrimer. Hurrah! I
have an idea. Annie Forest and Nora shall both come up to town with us
to-morrow. Annie is a capital kind of girl, although she did behave with
want of fidelity as regards that ring. I must get it back for her
somehow before