"Where?" asked Ruth.

"At a tailor's," said Mollie. "Bond Street, for choice; only it would
be difficult to arrange about fitting. I'm not at all sure that we
shan't have to pay a visit to town on this matter of clothes. For the
present I mean to consult that maid, and see what can be done until we
can get habits well made for us. And--who knows?--there may be some old
things stored away somewhere which will come in handy. Anyway, I'm
going to begin lessons to-morrow, habit or no habit. You can do as you
like."

As there was no time to be lost, the maid was summoned only to proclaim
her inability to manufacture riding attire in the space of twenty-four
hours, or to produce the same from the household treasures.

"There is the mistress's habit, of course, but that was locked away with
her other clothes; and even if I could get at it I wouldn't dare to use
it. Mr Farrell keeps everything she wore, and nobody touches them but
himself. There's a very good tailor at Bexham, miss--only half an
hour's rail from here. Many of the ladies go to him for their things."

"But we want something now--at once! Something to wear to-morrow.
Surely you can think of something? Mr Farrell said we were to ask you
for everything we wanted, and this is the first thing we have asked for.
You must suggest something!" cried Mollie imperiously.

Thus adjured, Emma pursed up her lips, and wrinkled her forehead, leant
her head on one side, and stared at the ceiling for inspiration.
Presently it came, for the frown disappeared, the lips relaxed into a
smile.

"Well, miss," she said, "there's the parson's young ladies; they are
nearly as big as you, though they are still at school. They ride with
the father in the holiday, for the squire let's them have a mount from
the stables whenever they send up. Their habits will be at home, lying
idle. They are not much for style, of course, but for a few days, until
you have time to get fitted yourself--"

"Emma, you are an angel! It's a splendid idea! Mrs Thornton begged us
to let her help in any way she could. We'll call this very afternoon,
when we go down to post off the flowers, and I'm sure she will be
delighted to lend them. Now we can have our first lesson to-morrow.
That's glorious! I do hate to wait when I have planned anything nice."

At luncheon Mr Farrell made his appearance, and listened with polite
indifference to the history of the morning's doings as volunteered by
h