the
conclaves, and made her first acquaintance with public and parish work.
She had seen nothing of the kind at her own home, and it was a
revelation to her to find how interesting it was to help other people.
She and Mabel between them marked all the articles for Lady Muriel's
stall at a bazaar, and were allowed to take special charge of the sweet
department, selling dainty boxes of home-made bon-bons, and enjoying
themselves immensely over it. They also arranged the sports for a party
given to the Orphanage at the Hall, and worked very hard, distributing
cups of tea and plates of cake; starting races and games of "Aunt
Sally"; and generally amusing the children, and trying to give them a
happy time.

"Aldred is simply splendid at this kind of thing!" said Mabel
enthusiastically to her mother. "She keeps everybody going, and sees
that all the little ones are playing too; they're so apt just to stand
about and stare, you know. She thought of the loveliest games for them,
and told them long fairy tales afterwards. They were absolutely
delighted."

"I'm so glad to find she is a kindred spirit, and sympathizes with our
work," replied Lady Muriel. "You have been most fortunate in your choice
of a friend."

Though Aldred was thus initiated into the busy round of life at
Grassingford Hall, the Farringtons did not neglect to entertain their
guest, and provided plenty of amusement for her. She was taken in the
motor to see all the sights of the neighbourhood--the beautiful
mediaeval castle at Bonbridge, which still possessed moat, drawbridge,
and portcullis in excellent preservation; the quaint old town of
Bingdale, with its encircling walls and turreted gates; the valley of
Malden, where the woods were in their spring glory, and the primroses
were an absolute dream of delight; the ruined abbey at Dinvaux, which
could boast of early Saxon carvings; and, last but not least, the view
from the summit of Charlton Hill, whence five counties might be seen at
once.

Though Mabel was Lady Muriel's only child, she had stepbrothers and
stepsisters, who were married, and lived within reasonable distance.
Several enjoyable visits were paid to their homes, for Mabel was very
proud indeed of her various little nephews and nieces, and anxious to
show them all to Aldred.

"I can't expect you to admire them as I do," she declared, "but they
really are dears! I never know which is my favourite--Vera, with the
thick, yellow curls; or Bet