nd
dubbed them "The Mutual Admiration Society," because Mr Bertrand was
wont to declare that Rayner was an infinitely finer writer than himself,
while Mr Rayner in his turn despaired of accomplishing anything fit to
compare with the work of his friend.

With Miss Carr arrived a cart-load of boxes containing bride and
bridesmaids' dresses, feathers and furbelows of all descriptions, and a
number of presents from acquaintances in London.

The other girls were full of excitement over the opening of these
treasures, but Lettice herself was silent and indifferent, and hardly
troubled herself to look at the beautiful gifts which were showered upon
her. She excused herself on the plea of a chronic head-ache, and lay
half the day on a sofa in the schoolroom, while Miss Briggs fed her with
beef-tea, and fussed over her in kindly, motherly fashion. Everyone
petted her and treated her with consideration, but no one said a word to
suggest that she was unhappy in the thought of the coming marriage. It
was too late for that; she had determined to keep to her engagement, and
it was only natural to account for her indisposition on the ground of
excitement and fatigue. Circumstances combined, moreover, to keep
Lettice a good deal apart from the others during these last busy days.
Miss Carr's maid was employed making the alterations which were
requisite in the dresses from London, so that Lettice was continually
being summoned to the sewing-room, and when she was not being "tried on"
she had many letters to write acknowledging the gifts which arrived in
such numbers.

Hilary was too busy to have any time for confidential talks, and when
Norah had a moment's leisure, her thoughts were far away from
Westmoreland, journeying over foreign lands with a certain tall young
Englishman with grey eyes and a crop of close-cut, curly hair. Even
Lettice herself was apt to be forgotten in this all-absorbing
occupation!

The Newcome contingent, and those London friends who were to accompany
them, were to come down on the day before the wedding, and to put up at
an hotel in Windermere, and every day brought with it a host of
preparations which kept the little mistress of the house busy from
morning until night.

Hilary showed to advantage under these circumstances. Always brisk,
alert and smiling, never worried or unduly anxious, she shared a good
deal of Rex's boasted "gift of management," and contrived to keep the
house comfortable for th