and the necessary entertainment that it involved, and then
her wedding. Financially they were in a very bad way, but that did not
prevent them spending--or owing--in a rather lordly fashion. Mrs.
Polkington with one daughter married, and another safely out of the
way, seemed determined to take the field well with the remaining one.
Cherie was quite ready to second the effort, indeed, she was the
instigator; she was not only the prettiest of the sisters, but also
the most ease loving, and though ambitious, less clever than the
others, and a great deal more short-sighted. She had for some time
ceased to be content with the position at Marbridge and the society
there; she wanted to be recognised by the "county." This desire had
been growing of late, for there had been a very eligible and
attractive bachelor addition to that charmed circle, and he had more
than once looked admiration her way. She and her mother went to work
well and spared neither time nor trouble; not much result could be
expected during the summer months, little done then except get
ready--an expensive proceeding. It was when September brought people
home for the partridge shooting and October's pheasants kept them
there till hunting began, that they expected their success and the
return for their outlay, and they were quite content to wait for it.

Their plans and doings were naturally not confided to any one, not
even Julia; she heard seldom from Marbridge; the family feelings were
of a somewhat utilitarian order, based largely on mutual benefit. She
wrote now and then; she happened to do so on the day after the one on
which she did not take the blue daffodil; and she mentioned in this
letter that it was possible she should be home again soon. Seeing that
she had decided the daffodil was unobtainable she saw little reason
for staying longer; this of course she did not mention when she wrote.
Somewhat to her surprise she got an almost immediate reply to her
letter.

It would not suit Mrs. Polkington and Cherie to have Julia back soon
at all; it is always easier to swim socially with one daughter than
two, especially if the second is not good-looking. Also, Julia,
cautious, long-headed and capable, was certain to criticise their
proceedings and do her best to interfere with them. She would be wrong
in her judgments, of course, and they right; they were sure of that,
but they did not want the trouble of attempting to convert her, and
anyhow, they felt t