icious time, and I think, too, we owe
our lives to Miss Bee. Loftie was making an awful mess of that sail, and
you know, Kate, none of us can swim. Now look at Loftie, do look at him!
See how he's bending towards Miss Meadowsweet. He is quite taken with
her, I can see. Oh, what a flirt he is. Doesn't she hold herself nicely,
Kate? And hasn't she an independent sort of way?"

"Yes," responded Catherine. "I think even mother must own that Beatrice
is in good style. I knew that the moment she spoke to me."

"They are coming back," said Mabel. "Just toss me over that towel,
please, Kate. Don't you think I provided a very nice little lunch? Mrs.
Masters and I managed it between us, and you none of you knew, no none
of you, how very ancient that chicken was."

"Didn't I?" replied Kate. "I had one of the drumsticks. That chicken
has woke me in a very lusty manner more than once in the morn. 'Up, Up!'
cries the crowing cock. Oh, Mabel, it was cruel of you to deprive us of
his clarion note."

"Never mind. I saw that Loftie and Miss Meadowsweet had the breast to
eat. I nearly died when I saw you attacking the drumstick, but I knew
you wouldn't split. Now, do look up, Kate? Doesn't Loftus look radiant?
Isn't he a handsome fellow when he is pleased? What can Miss Meadowsweet
be saying to him? How he does laugh!"

"Miss Meadowsweet has a good deal of fun in her," responded Kate. "I
think it is a certain tone in her voice. Well, here they come. How did
you like the ruins, Loftus?"

"Very much--I mean as much as I care for any ruins. And I have had a
capital guide. Miss Meadowsweet wants to propose something to you
girls."

"Yes," said Beatrice, in her bright, quick way. "It will be so nice if
you can do it. Captain Bertram says he is fond of tennis, and we have
four very good courts at home. Will you all come and have supper this
evening? Mother will be delighted to see you--Do come, Miss Bertram."

She looked sympathetically and eagerly at Catherine. Catherine in her
shabby, ill-fitting dress was not nearly such a distinguished figure as
Miss Meadowsweet, whose serge costume fitted her like a glove. Yet
Catherine drew herself up as if the invitation half offended her.

"I?" she began. She looked at Loftus. Her color came and went.

"Catherine is overpowered," remarked the brother, with a smile at Miss
Meadowsweet, but a certain expression about his mouth which Kate too
well interpreted. "Catherine is overpowered. She and