assed so uncomfortably at Bragg's End; and on
the Monday Mrs. Tappitt and her daughters sat conning over the list
of their expected guests, and preparing their invitations. It must
be understood that the Rowan family had somewhat grown upon them
in estimation since Luke had been living with them. They had not
known much of him till he came among them, and had been prepared to
patronise him; but they found him a young man not to be patronised by
any means, and imperceptibly they learned to feel that his mother and
sister would have to be esteemed by them rather as great ladies. Luke
was in nowise given to boasting, and had no intention of magnifying
his mother and sister; but things had been said which made the
Tappitts feel that Mrs. Rowan must have the best bedroom, and that
Mary Rowan must be provided with the best partners.

"And what shall we do about Rachel Ray?" said Martha, who was sitting
with the list before her. Augusta, who was leaning over her sister,
puckered up her mouth and said nothing. She had watched from the
house door on that Saturday evening, and had been perfectly aware
that Luke Rowan had taken Rachel off towards the stile under the
trees. She could not bring herself to say anything against Rachel,
but she certainly wished that she might be excluded.

"Of course she must be asked," said Cherry. Cherry was sitting
opposite to the other girls writing on a lot of envelopes the
addresses of the notes which were afterwards to be prepared. "We told
her we should ask her." And as she spoke she addressed a cover to
"Miss Ray, Bragg's End Cottage, Cawston."

"Stop a moment, my dear," said Mrs. Tappitt from the corner of the
sofa on which she was sitting. "Put that aside, Cherry. Rachel Ray is
all very well, but considering all things I am not sure that she will
quite do for Tuesday night. It's not quite in her line, I think."

"But we have mentioned it to her already, mamma," said Martha.

"Of course we did," said Cherry. "It would be the meanest thing in
the world not to ask her now!"

"I am not at all sure that Mrs. Rowan would like it," said Mrs.
Tappitt.

"And I don't think that Rachel is quite up to what Mary has been used
to," said Augusta.

"If she has half a mind to flirt with Luke already," said Mrs.
Tappitt, "I ought not to encourage it."

"That is such nonsense, mamma," said Cherry. "If he likes her he'll
find her somewhere if he doesn't find her here."

"My dear, you shouldn't say