tty, Sir John certainly liked plain little Mary best.

Light refreshments were brought in on little trays, and the girls were
invited to partake. The three young hostesses acted with _aplomb_ and
much tact. Dull girls were drawn out of themselves, lively girls were
placed with suitable companions. Games were proposed, which were all
conducted in a spirited and lively manner, and finally the proceedings
ended with a gay dance. It was at this moment, just when the dance was
in full swing, that Sir John Wallis came up and offered his arm to
Florence.

"Will you waltz with me?" he said.

She looked up at him, colored with delight, and laid her hand on his
arm. The two led the dance, and right merry was the music which was
played to it.

The dance had just come to an end when Sir John looked full at Florence
and spoke.

"I heard from your aunt, Mrs. Aylmer, and she is much pleased to accept
my invitation. She will be my guest on the evening of the 29th, and I
hope I may persuade her to stay a few days longer. You must see a
great deal of her while she is at Cherry Court Park. You are a great
favorite with her, are you not?"

"Of late I have been a favorite," said Florence, and now she looked
full at Sir John and her lip trembled.

"There is something the matter with you, my dear," said Sir John.

"Oh, I don't know--nothing." Then she added, as if the words were
wrung from her lips, "I hate Aunt Susan."

"Oh, come, come," said Sir John, truly shocked; "let me tell you that
is a very unladylike way of speaking and scarcely fair to your aunt,
who is doing so much for you."

"That is all you know, Sir John, but I dare not say any more."

"But having said so much, I am afraid you must. I asked you three
girls what special friend or relation you would like to be present in
the hour of your triumph, and you selected Mrs. Aylmer. If you did not
like Mrs. Aylmer, why did you ask her to come? I would gladly have
received your own mother."

"I will tell you," said Florence, in a hurried voice. "Mrs. Aylmer is
much interested in your Scholarship, Sir John, and she says if I win it
that she will adopt me. I shall be her--her heiress then. You
understand that it means a great deal to me, the Scholarship?"

"Yes, I understand," said Sir John, gravely. His face looked troubled.
"Sit down here, my dear," he said. Florence seated herself on a chair
by his side. "I can understand, and I am sorry; it is scarcel