were too heavy. Why didn't Annette
get a man?"

And sitting up, she bent across the table, all charm suddenly, and soft
distress.

"We did get one, but he was a wretched thing. I was worth two of him,"
said Nora triumphantly. "You should feel my biceps. There!"

And slipping up her loose sleeve, she showed an arm, at which Constance
Bledlow laughed. And her laugh touched her face with something
audacious--something wild--which transformed it.

"I shall take care how I offend you!"

Nora nodded over her tea.

"Your maid was shocked. She said I might as well have been a man."

"It's quite true," sighed Mrs. Hooper. "You always were such a tomboy,
Nora."

"Not at all! But I wish to develop my muscles. That's why I do Swedish
exercises every morning. It's ridiculous how flabby girls are. There
isn't a girl in my lecture I can't put down. If you like, I'll teach you
my exercises," said Nora, her mouth full of tea-cake, and her expression
half friendly, half patronising.

Connie Bledlow did not immediately reply. She seemed to be quietly
examining Nora, as she had already examined Alice, and that odd gleam in
the eyes under depths appeared again. But at last she said, smiling--

"Thank you. But my muscles are quite strong enough for the only exercise
I want. You said I might have a horse, Uncle Ewen, didn't you?" She
turned eagerly to the master of the house.

Dr. Hooper looked at his wife with some embarrassment. "I want you to
have anything you wish for--in reason--my dear Connie; but your aunt is
rather exercised about the proprieties."

The small dried-up woman behind the tea-urn said sharply:

"A girl can't ride alone in Oxford--she'd be talked about at once!"

Lady Connie flushed mutinously.

"I could take a groom, Aunt Ellen!"

"Well, I don't approve of it," said Mrs. Hooper, in the half plaintive
tone of one who must speak although no one listens. "But of course your
uncle must decide."

"We'll talk it over, my dear Connie, we'll talk it over," said Dr.
Hooper cheerfully. "Now wouldn't you like Nora to show you to
your room?"

The girls went upstairs together, Nora leading the way.

"It's an awful squash in your room," said Nora abruptly. "I don't know
how you'll manage."

"My fault, I suppose, for bringing so many things! But where else could
I put them?"

Nora nodded gravely, as though considering the excuse. The newcomer
suddenly felt herself criticised by this odd schoolgirl and resente