ts and began to whistle. "It will do no
good to turn yourselves into a couple of fountains! I'll go for a walk,
and come back when you've done crying. It's a nuisance, but it might
have been worse," he said shortly, and Norah looked at him with a gleam
of curiosity lighting up her poor, tear-stained eyes.

"How worse? What do you mean?" she inquired; but Rex did not deign to
answer, or to have anything more to say until tea was served a couple of
hours later. The tears to which he so much objected were dried by this
time, but the conversation was still sorrowfully centred on the dear
traveller. "What is she doing now? Poor, poor Lettice! she will cry
herself ill. Every mile further from home will make her more wretched!"
cried Norah, and the listeners groaned in sympathy.

If they had seen Miss Lettice at that moment, however, their fears would
have been allayed. Miss Carr had changed into a corridor train at
Preston, and her companion was charmed with the novel position. She had
never before travelled in a corridor, and the large, open carriage, the
view, the promenade up and down, were all fascinating to her
inexperience. Then to have lunch, and afternoon tea just when the
journey was beginning to drag--it was indeed a luxurious way of
travelling! Lettice had ceased to cry before the train had reached
Kendal; at Lancaster she began to smile; at Crewe she laughed so merrily
at one of Miss Carr's sallies, that the people on the next seat turned
to look at her with smiles of admiring interest. Everyone was "so nice
and kind." It was a pleasure to see them. Clearwater was a dear, sweet
place, but, after all, it was only a poky little village. Delightful to
get away and see something of the world!

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

AFTER THREE YEARS.

Three years had passed away since Lettice Bertrand had bidden farewell
to her Northern home and accompanied Miss Carr to London, but there was
little sign of change in the big drawing-room at Kensington, or in the
mistress herself, as she sat reading a magazine by the window one sunny
June afternoon. When the purse is well lined it is easy to prevent
signs of age so far as furniture and decorations are concerned, while
the lapse of three years makes little difference in the appearance of a
lady who has long passed middle age. Miss Carr looked very contented
and comfortable as she lay back against the cushions of her easy chair,
so comfortable that she groaned with