eggy sniffed the air in scornful superiority.

"I am very glad I've not! Titles are so ostentatious! Vulgar, I call
them! The very best families will have nothing to do with them. My
father's people were all at the Crusades, and the Wars of the Roses, and
the Field of the Cloth of Gold. There is no older family in England,
and they are called `Fighting Savilles,' because they are always in the
front of every battle, winning honours and distinctions. I expect they
have been offered titles over and over again, but they would not have
them. They refused them with scorn, and so would I if one were offered
to me. Nothing would induce me to accept it!"

Esther rolled her eyes in a comical, sideway fashion, and gave a little
chuckle of unbelief; but Mellicent looked quite depressed by this
reception of her grand news, and said anxiously--

"But, Peggy, think of it! The Honourable Mariquita! It would be too
lovely! Wouldn't you feel proud writing it in visitors' books, and
seeing it printed in newspapers when you grow up? `The Honourable
Mariquita wore a robe of white satin, trimmed with gold!'"

"Peggy Saville is good enough for me, thank you," said that young lady,
with a sudden access of humility. "I have no wish to have my clothes
discussed in the public prints. But if you are invited to the Larches
to play with your Rosalind, pray don't consider me! I can stay at home
alone. I don't mind being dull. I can turn my time to good account.
Not for the world would I interfere with your pleasure?"

"But P-P-Peggy, dar-ling Peggy, we would not leave you alone!"
Mellicent's eyes were wide with horror, she stretched out entreating
hands towards the unresponsive figure. To see Peggy cross and snappish
like--any other ordinary mortal was an extraordinary event, and quite
alarming to her placid mind. "They will ask you, too, dear! I am sure
they will--we will all be asked together!" she cried; but Peggy tossed
her head, refusing to be conciliated.

"I shall have a previous engagement. I am not at all sure that they are
the sort of people I ought to know," she said. "My parents are so
exclusive! They might not approve of the acquaintance!"

CHAPTER TEN.

AMBITIONS!

Although Fraulein had charge over the girls' education, Mr Asplin
reserved to himself the right of superintending their studies and
dictating their particular direction. He was so accustomed to training
boys for a definite end that he ha