you for life, so don't imagine you will have all the fun to yourself.
Now get dressed, and don't think about it any more. We must look our
best to awe those two superior young men. I am convinced that they look
upon us as country bumpkins, and it's most important to put them in
their proper position at once, so that we may start fair. If you are
going to do your hair in skriggles it will take you an age, so do
begin!"

Ruth rose obediently. "Skriggles" was an inelegant but descriptive
title for her most becoming coiffure, which she had already decided must
be adopted for the first eventful evening at the Court. She set to work
at once, and was half-way through her task when the maid appeared, as
Mollie had prophesied, paused upon the threshold for one horrified
moment, and then hurried forward with an "Allow me, miss!" which could
not be gainsaid.

The girls grimaced at one another furtively, but in the end the value of
the skilled hands was proved by a dainty finish to hair and toilette
which sent them downstairs agreeably conscious of looking their best.

CHAPTER NINE.

MR. JACK MELLAND.

In the drawing-room Mr Farrell and his two nephews were standing with
their backs to the fire, in the position affected by mankind in that
trying wait before dinner. Little Mrs Wolff was stiffly perched upon
an uncomfortable chair, twisting her mittened fingers together and
looking supremely uncomfortable, and there appeared to be no attempt at
conversation. Everyone looked at the two girls as they crossed the wide
room, and once again Mollie surprised that curious gleam of disapproval
in Victor Druce's veiled eyes. Mr Melland was apparently still on his
high horse, a faint flush upon his face, his nostrils curved and
dilated. As for Uncle Bernard himself, his set face showed no sign of
approval or the reverse; he simply bowed to his nieces, and waved them
towards a seat, saying curtly--

"Our party is not complete. I have asked the vicar and his wife to dine
with us, and make your acquaintance. They will probably arrive in a few
minutes."

"Oh yes!" said Ruth vaguely. Even Mollie suffered a moment's eclipse,
during which she sought in vain for an appropriate remark. It was too
absurd, she told herself, to sit round the room like mutes at a funeral.
What was the use of a lady chaperon if she could not fill up the gaps
with harmless inanities? She glanced from one stolid face to another,
then made a despera