h of that
plaything, and showed a decided preference for Emmeline's society
out of sight and hearing of nursery affairs. On the afternoon of the
second day they went together to call upon Mrs. Fentiman, who lived
at a distance of a quarter of an hour's walk, in a house called
"Hazeldene"; a semi-detached house, considerably smaller than
"Runnymede," and neither without nor within so pleasant to look
upon. Mrs. Fentiman, a tall, hard-featured, but amiable lady, had
two young children who occupied most of her time; at present one of
them was ailing, and the mother could talk of nothing else but this
distressing circumstance. The call lasted only for ten minutes, and
Emmeline felt that her companion was disappointed.

'Children are a great trouble,' Louise remarked, when they had left
the house. 'People ought never to marry unless they can keep a lot
of servants. Not long ago I was rather fond of somebody, but I
wouldn't have him because he had no money. Don't you think I was
quite right?'

'I have no doubt you were.'

'And now,' pursued the girl, poking the ground with her sunshade as
she walked, 'there's somebody else. And that's one of the things I
want to tell you about. He has about three hundred a year. It isn't
much, of course; but I suppose Mr. Higgins would give me something.
And yet I'm sure it won't come to anything. Let's go home and have a
good talk, shall we?'

Mrs. Higgins's letter had caused Emmeline and her husband no little
amusement; but at the same time it led them to reflect. Certainly
they numbered among their acquaintances one or two marriageable
young men who might perchance be attracted by Miss Derrick,
especially if they learnt that Mr. Higgins was disposed to 'behave
handsomely' to his stepdaughter; but the Mumfords had no desire to
see Louise speedily married. To the bribe with which the letter
ended they could give no serious thought. Having secured their
"paying guest," they hoped she would remain with them for a year or
two at least. But already Louise had dropped hints such as Emmeline
could not fail to understand, and her avowal of serious interest in
a lover came rather as an annoyance than a surprise to Mrs. Mumford.

It was a hot afternoon, and they had tea brought out into the
garden, under the rustling leaves of the chestnut.

'You don't know anyone else at Sutton except Mrs. Fentiman?' said
Louise, as she leaned back in the wicker chair.

'Not intimately. But some of our fri