had
lunch. I shall want a little rest immediately after, but don't keep me
waiting. I shall expect you at three o'clock."

"Come home, Flo," said Mrs. Aylmer the less. "We must not disturb you,
of course, Susan, and we'll be punctual to the moment. What do you
think of her, Flo?" said the widow, as soon as she and her daughter
were out of sight.

"I think she looks horrid, mother, just as she always did. How well I
remember going to see her shortly after poor father died, and how she
used to make you cry, and how cold she always was, and what miserable
tea she gave us! We had better ask her to a meal unless we want to be
starved, Mummy, dear."

"I can't afford it really, Flo, and she would remark upon every luxury
we had at the table. She would write to me afterwards and say, 'From
the style of your meal,' etc."

"Oh, don't mother; I wish she hadn't come," said Florence. "You and I
could have been quite happy and cosy alone, but now she will contrive
to make us truly miserable."

"She has come for a reason," said Mrs. Aylmer, solemnly, "and it
behooves you, Flo, to put your best foot foremost. I have got a nice
little white jacket for you to wear this afternoon, and white becomes
you very much."

"A white jacket! What sort?" said Florence.

"One that your aunt sent me two years back, and which I altered by a
pattern of yours. You can wear it with that serge dress, and you will
look quite cool and nice. Now then, darling, let us have our own
dinner, because we must be punctual; it would never do to keep Susan
waiting."

Neither of the ladies did keep Aunt Susan waiting. They arrived at the
hotel, which turned out to be the "Crown and Garter," just as the great
clock in the hall struck three.

Mrs. Aylmer had never been inside the "Crown and Garter," and she now
looked around her with intense pleasure, and when one of the waiters
came forward asked him in a pompous voice for "my sister-in-law, Mrs.
Aylmer."

The man withdrew, to return in a moment or two to say that Mrs. Aylmer
was in her private sitting-room, number 24, and would see the ladies
immediately.

CHAPTER XI.

"I ALWAYS ADMIRED FRANKNESS."

"Hold your head up, Flo, and don't be nervous," whispered the widow, as
they walked down the long corridor, the waiter going in front. He
paused opposite number 24, flung the door open, and announced in a loud
voice, "Mrs. Aylmer and Miss Florence Aylmer," and then shut the door
behi