ended, and I beg of you, as you wish to
impress your kind host favorably, to be at any cost natural and true to
yourselves. Florence dear, I would specially beg of you to remember my
words. Don't set your heart too much on any earthly good thing, my
child, for often those who lose gain more than those who win."

But Florence shook off the gentle hand; she could scarcely stand Mrs.
Clavering's words just then, and avoided meeting her eyes.

Sir John stood on the steps of his magnificent old house to welcome his
guests. As the carriage drew up beside the porch he came down and
extended his hand to each.

"Welcome, welcome," he said, "thrice welcome! What a lovely day we
have! Mrs. Clavering, I hope to have the privilege of taking you round
my gardens, which are just in their autumn prime, and as to you three
girls, will you amuse yourselves exactly as you please until
luncheon-time?"

"Thank you so much," said Mary, in her blunt voice. She could never
act a part to save her life. "That is just what I should like best to
do," she added, smiling and dimpling. She had a jolly little face,
somewhat tanned with the sun, two round good-humored brown eyes, and a
wide mouth. Her teeth were white, however, and her smile pleasant.

"Kitty, my dear," said Sir John, turning to Kitty Sharston, "you have
been here before and I depute to you the task of doing the honors.
Take the girls wherever you please. If, for instance," added Sir John,
"you three would like to have a row on the lake there is the boat all
moored and ready. Kitty, you know how to handle an oar?"

"Rather," said Kitty; "I have rowed more or less since I could walk."

"Well, then, that is all right; but if you require any assistance you
have but to call one of the gardeners, there are sure to be plenty
about. Now off you go, all three; forget the old man, and enjoy
yourselves as happy girls should."

As Sir John spoke he gave his arm with old-fashioned courtesy to Mrs.
Clavering, and the two turned away.

"Now, is not this just like dear Sir John?" said Kitty, beginning to
dance about. "Come, girls, I'll have greatest pleasure in taking you
about."

"I am surprised to hear that you know all about Cherry Court Park,"
said Florence, in a somewhat cross voice, but then she remembered
herself and made an effort to smile.

"I have been here twice before," said Kitty. "What do you say to
having a row? Mary, what do you wish?"

"If you will allow