fancy-work that she
had bought in London, and sent Nuttie to Ronaldson, who was arranging
calceolarias, begonias, and geraniums in the conservatory, to beg for
some cut-flowers for a great dusty-looking vase in the centre of the
table.

These were being arranged when Mrs. William Egremont and Miss Blanche
Egremont were ushered in, and there were the regular kindred embraces,
after which Alice and Nuttie were aware of a very handsome,
dignified-looking lady, well though simply dressed in what was
evidently her home costume, with a large shady hat and feather, her
whole air curiously fitting the imposing nickname of the Canoness.
Blanche was a slight, delicate-looking, rather pretty girl in a
lawn-tennis dress. The visitor took the part of treating the newcomers
as well-established relations.

'We would not inundate you all at once,' she said, 'but the children
are all very eager to see their cousin. I wish you would come down to
the Rectory with me. My ponies are at the door. I would drive you,
and Ursula might walk with Blanche.' And, as Alice hesitated for a
moment, considering how this might agree with the complicated
instructions that she had received, she added, 'Never mind Alwyn. I
saw him going off just before I came up, and he told William he was
going to look at some horses at Hale's, so he is disposed of for a good
many hours.'

Alice decided that her husband would probably wish her to comply, and
she rejoiced to turn her daughter in among the cousins, so hats,
gloves, and parasols were fetched, and the two mothers drove away with
the two sleek little toy ponies. By which it may be perceived that
Mrs. William Egremont's first impressions were favourable.

'It is the shortest way through the gardens,' said Blanche. 'Have you
been through them yet?'

'Mark walked about with us a little.'

'You'll improve them ever so much. There are great capabilities. Look,
you could have four tennis courts on this one lawn. We wanted to have
a garden-party up here last year, and father said we might, but mother
thought Uncle Alwyn might think it a liberty; but now you'll have some
delicious ones? Of course you play lawn-tennis?'

'I have seen it a very few times,' said Nuttie.

'Oh, we must teach you! Fancy living without lawn-tennis!' said
Blanche. 'I always wonder what people did without it. Only'--with an
effort at antiquarianism--'I believe they had croquet.'

'Aunt Ursula says there weren't garde