f tufts, and
ball-fringe, and tassels. Candles were lighted on the trim
dressing-tables; everything was spotless, fresh, and inviting, and the
three tired girls sank each into her soft-cushioned easy chair with a
delightful sense of being at home.

"The tea-bell will ring in half an hour, if you please," said Susan, and
she closed the three doors.

CHAPTER II.

FIRST THOUGHTS.

"The eggs and the ham,
And the strawberry jam;
The rollicking bun,
And the gay Sally Lunn."

"Ting! ting-a-ling!" the silver tinkle sounded cheerfully. Margaret was
the first to leave her room, punctuality being the third virtue of her
creed. She had changed her travelling-dress for a pretty dark red
cashmere, which became her well; but Peggy, who came running down a
moment later, still wore her ill-fitting frock of green flannel, the
scant attractions of which were not enhanced by a soiled linen collar,
which she had forgotten to change. The flyaway locks were indeed braided
together, but the heavy braid was rough and uneven.

"Oh, you have changed your dress!" she cried, seeing Margaret. "How
pretty you look! I didn't have time to do anything. Say," she added,
lowering her voice, "I think you are sweet, but I just hate that other
girl. _We_ sha'n't be fond of each other, you may be sure of that!"

"My dear Peggy!" said Margaret, in gentle remonstrance. "You must not
judge a person on ten minutes' acquaintance. I am sure I hope you and
Rita will be very good friends. You certainly must admire her beauty."

"Oh, she's pretty enough!" rejoined Peggy; "but I think she's perfectly
horrid!--there now! Stuck-up and conceited, and looking at other people
as if they were stone posts. And I am _not_ a stone post, you know."

"You certainly don't look like one," said Margaret, laughing; "nor feel
like one," she added, putting her arm around her cousin's plump waist.

"But come! here is Elizabeth waiting to show us the dining-room.
Elizabeth, we have had a good rest, and we are _so_ hungry."

"This way, miss, if you please," said the grave Elizabeth. And she led
the way across the hall. The dining-room was a pleasant square room,
with crimson curtains closely drawn. There was no cloth on the dark
table, which shone like a mirror, reflecting the blaze of the candles in
mellow points of light. At the head stood a shining silver tea-service
and a Dresden chocolate-pot, surrounded by the prettiest cups and
saucers that ev