f the bed, and upon
each other, than on the beautiful natural objects growing in the middle,
as it seemed to Picotee. In the ripple of conversation Ethelberta's
clear voice could occasionally be heard, and her young sister could see
that her eyes were bright, and her face beaming, as if divers social
wants and looming penuriousness had never been within her experience. Mr.
Doncastle was quite absorbed in what she was saying. So was the queer
old man whom Menlove had called Lord Mountclere.

'The dashing widow looks very well, does she not?' said a person at
Picotee's elbow.

It was her conductor Menlove, now returned again, whom Picotee had quite
forgotten.

'She will do some damage here to-night you will find,' continued Menlove.
'How long have you been with her?'

'O, a long time--I mean rather a short time,' stammered Picotee.

'I know her well enough. I was her maid once, or rather her mother-in-
law's, but that was long before you knew her. I did not by any means
find her so lovable as you seem to think her when I had to do with her at
close quarters. An awful flirt--awful. Don't you find her so?'

'I don't know.'

'If you don't yet you will know. But come down from your perch--the
dining-room door will not be open again for some time--and I will show
you about the rooms upstairs. This is a larger house than Mrs.
Petherwin's, as you see. Just come and look at the drawing-rooms.'

Wishing much to get rid of Menlove, yet fearing to offend her, Picotee
followed upstairs. Dinner was almost over by this time, and when they
entered the front drawing-room a young man-servant and maid were there
rekindling the lights.

'Now let's have a game of cat-and-mice,' said the maid-servant cheerily.
'There's plenty of time before they come up.'

'Agreed,' said Menlove promptly. 'You will play, will you not, Miss
Chickerel?'

'No, indeed,' said Picotee, aghast.

'Never mind, then; you look on.'

Away then ran the housemaid and Menlove, and the young footman started at
their heels. Round the room, over the furniture, under the furniture,
through the furniture, out of one window, along the balcony, in at
another window, again round the room--so they glided with the swiftness
of swallows and the noiselessness of ghosts.

Then the housemaid drew a jew's-harp from her pocket, and struck up a
lively waltz sotto voce. The footman seized Menlove, who appeared
nothing loth, and began spinning gently round the