out with difficulty, as though afraid it may
go off and do somebody an injury. "But for my part I don't believe a
word of it. She is quite natural, and most pleasing in manner,
_especially_ to those who are older than herself. A great charm in these
times, my dear, when age is despised."

Plainly, the little widow at Aghyohillbeg has been playing off her
sweetest graces upon the two Misses Blake.

"I dare say Monica will like young Ronayne," says Miss Priscilla. "He is
quite nice, that lad. But I hope, Monica, that, even if circumstances
should throw you together, you will take no notice of young Mr.
Desmond. I myself would not exchange a word with him if a queen's diadem
were offered me as a bribe."

"You might speak to him without knowing him," says Monica, blushing
again that nervous crimson of a while ago.

"Impossible, my dear. Instinct, sharpened by hatred, would tell me when
one of the race was near me."

"Well, as it is your first party here, dear child, I hope you will enjoy
it," says Miss Penelope, quickly, as though again anxious to throw oil
on the waters by changing the conversation. "It is a charming place, and
its mistress, if a little rough, is at least kindly."

At this moment Kit, emerging from the curtains that have hidden her for
the past hour, comes slowly to the front. Her face, her very attitude,
is martial. She is plainly in battle-array. Pausing before Miss
Priscilla, she directs her first fire upon her.

"Am I not asked at all?" she says, in a terrible tone, that contrasts
painfully with the ominous silence she has maintained ever since the
invitation was brought by Mrs. O'Connor's groom.

"My dear child, you must remember you are only fourteen," says Miss
Priscilla, who is sincerely sorry the child has not been included in the
invitation, and, in fact, thinks it rather unkind she has been left out.

"I _know_ that, thank you," says the youngest Miss Beresford,
uncompromisingly, fixing her aunt with a stony glare. "I know my
birthday as well as most people. And so, just because I am a child, I am
to be slighted, am I? I call it unfair! I call it beastly _mean_, that
every one here is to be invited out to enjoy themselves except _me_."

"Young people are seldom asked to grown-up parties," says Miss
Priscilla, in her best conciliatory manner. "When you are as old as
Monica, of course you will go everywhere. In the meantime you are only a
child."

"I am old enough to conduct myself pr