tion to smoke and dust, and bachelor diggings with
careless landladies. I assure you I have no tragic secrets to disclose!
I'm sorry, as I'm sure you would find me infinitely more interesting
with a broken heart."

"Oh, I'm exceedingly glad, of course; but if you are so happy and
contented I don't see how you need my help," I said disagreeably; and
just then father came out of the cottage, and we started for home.

Mr Dudley talked to him about business in the most proper fashion, but
if he caught my eye, even in the middle of a sentence, he would drop his
head on his chest and put on the most absurd expression of misery, and
then I would toss my head and smile a scornful smile. Some day, when he
finds out how old I am, he will be ashamed of treating me like a child.

William Dudley is the first stranger mentioned in these pages. For that
reason I shall always feel a kind of interest in him, but I am
disappointed in his character.

CHAPTER FOUR.

_July 10th_.
To-day I went a round of calls with mother, driving round the country
for over twenty miles. It was rather dull in one way and interesting in
another, for I do like to see other people's drawing-rooms and how they
arrange the things. Some are all new and garish, and look as if they
were never used except for an hour or two in the evening, and some are
grand and stiff like a hotel, and others are all sweet and chintzy and
home-like, with lots of plants and a scent of _pot-pourri_ in china
vases. That's the sort of room I like. I mean to marry a man who
belongs to a very ancient family, so that I may have lots of beautiful
old furniture.

Mother gave me histories of the various hostesses as we drove up to the
houses.

"A dreadfully trying woman, I do hope she is out." "Rather amusing. I
should like you to see her." "A most hopeless person--absolutely no
conversation. Now, darling, take a lesson from her and never, never
allow yourself to relapse into monosyllables. It is such a hopeless
struggle if all one's remarks are greeted with a `No' or a `Yes,' and
when girls first come out they are very apt to fall into this habit.
Make a rule that you will never reply to a question in less than four
words, and it is wonderful what a help you will find it.

"Twist the ends of your veil, dear, they are sticking out... Oh dear,
dear, she is at home! I do have such shocking bad fortune."

Sh