n of it as speedily as possible.

She seized the ladder, then, and dragged it towards the desired spot; it
was so top-heavy that it was with difficulty that she could preserve its
balance, but she struggled gallantly until it was placed against the
sill, and as firmly settled as her inexperience could contrive. To
mount it was the next thing, and--what was more difficult--to lower
herself safely through the window when it was reached. That was the
only part of the proceeding of which she had any dread, but, as it
turned out, she was not to attempt it, for before she had ascended two
rungs of the ladder a voice called her sharply by name, and she turned
to find Hector Darcy standing by her side.

"For pity's sake, Peggy, what are you doing?" he cried, and laid his
hand on her arm with a frightened gesture. "Come down this instant!
How dare you be so rash? You don't mean to tell me seriously that you
were going to climb that ladder?"

"A great deal more seriously than you imagine!" sighed Peggy dolefully.
"Oh, why did you come and interrupt? You don't know how important it
is. How did you come to see me here at all?"

"I was going into the house to give myself a brush up in your father's
room, and I saw a glimpse of your dress through the tree."

"And the others--are they coming too? I don't want them to see me; they
must not see me."

"No! No! They are sitting with your mother, having a smoke until lunch
is ready. You need not be afraid; but tell me what is the matter? What
on earth induced you to think of doing such a mad thing?"

Peggy leant against the ladder, and sighed in helpless resignation. She
had not yet descended from her perch, so that her face was almost on a
level with Hector's own. The hazel eyes had lost their mocking gleam,
and the peaked brows were furrowed with distress; it was a very forlorn
and disconsolate but withal charming little Peggy who faltered out her
humiliating confession.

"I--have been--so naughty, Hector! I'm supposed to be housekeeper, and
I forgot to send my orders to the tradesmen last night, so that nothing
has arrived this morning. That's my store-room up there, and the key is
lost, and I _must_ get in, or you will have nothing to eat. I daren't
tell father, for he has warned me to be careful over and over again, and
he would be so angry. I'm in a horrible scrape, Hector, and there's no
other way out of it. Do please, please, go away and let me get on!"