hur Newcome it is, my dear!" said Hilary tragically; whereupon
Raymond instantly dropped his teacup on the grass, and fell heavily on
Norah's shoulders.

"Smelling salts! Brandy! I am going to faint! Oh, my heart!"

But, for once, no one paid any attention. Even Norah sat motionless,
forgetting to push him away, forgetting everything but the appalling
nature of the news which she had just heard.

"Lettice--is--engaged--to--Arthur Newcome?"

"Lettice--is--engaged--to--Arthur Newcome!"

"But--but--we knew that he admired her in his solemn way, but she never
seemed to like him! She used to make fun of him, and imitate the way he
talked!"

Raymond sat up and passed in his cup for a fresh supply of tea. What
was the good of fainting if nobody took any notice! "I say," he cried
energetically, "fancy Arthur Newcome proposing! I'd give anything if I
could have overheard him. ... `Miss Bertrand!--Lettice!--may I call you
Lettice? Deign, oh deign--'"

"Oh, be quiet, Raymond, and let us hear the letter," pleaded Norah, who
was on the verge of tears with agitation and distress. "I can't believe
it until I hear her own words. Read it, Hilary, from the very
beginning."

Hilary opened out the dainty, scented sheet, and read aloud, with an
impressiveness worthy of the occasion:--

"My dearest old Hilary, and Norah, and every one of you,--I have a great
piece of news to tell. I am engaged to Arthur Newcome, and he wants to
be married some time this autumn. He proposed to me a month ago, on the
day of our water party, but father and Miss Carr wished us to wait a
month before it was settled, so that I should have time to make up my
mind. They think I am so young, but if we wait until September I shall
be twenty, and many girls are married at that age. I have a beautiful
ring--a big pearl in the centre, and diamonds all round, and Arthur has
given me a brooch as well, three dear little diamond swallows--it looks
so sweet at my neck! Madge is very pleased, of course, and Mr and Mrs
Newcome are very kind. Won't it be nice when I have a house of my own,
and you can come and stay with me? I shall have six bridesmaids--you
three, Madge, Edna, and either Mabel Bruce or Monica Bewley. You must
think of pretty dresses. I like a white wedding, but it doesn't show
the bride off so well--that's the great objection. We shall have a
great deal to talk about when I come home next month, and I am longing
for the time to c