of them. Where do you
want to go, Cousin James? Can't you take Firefly in the dog-cart?'

'It does not matter to you where I wish to go. I wish to drive the
pair, and I am convinced this new groom is an utterly incompetent man.
Ever since we have been in this house we have had a perpetual change of
servants, and I was in hopes that when you came it would be different.'

'I am not responsible for your grooms. I have nothing to do with
them,' said Elfie brightly. 'I should ask Fenton what he think of this
new groom.'

'Fenton is insufferable with his insolent bearing and behaviour, and
you encourage him in his familiarity. I heard you were taking tea with
him and his wife yesterday. I must beg you never to do such a thing
again as long as you are under my roof.'

'You must remember, Cousin James, Fenton has known us all since we were
tiny children. He gave us our first riding lessons, and Aunt Mildred
treated him very differently to most of the servants. He lived with
her for forty years, he was telling me.'

'I don't wish for any arguments, if I give you an order. I think you
sometimes forget your position with us. You are here to relieve your
cousin Helen of all worry and anxiety about household matters, and it
has been a great disappointment to us both that you seem incapable of
keeping things straight. I hear that the cook is leaving, and has been
exceedingly insolent to your cousin, telling her that she will not have
two mistresses. I do not wish to interfere in these matters, but I
must request you to make more effort to maintain the discipline
necessary in such a large household.'

Elfie was so accustomed to these daily grumblings that she went on
picking her flowers in silence; the brightness of the day seemed
already clouded for her, and she gave an involuntary sigh, as after a
little further complaining her cousin walked away.

'They have it all, wealth and comfort all round them; and yet are two
discontented, miserable people. I wouldn't exchange places with them
for all the world.'

'A gentleman in the drawing-room has called to see you, miss.'

It was the footman brought the message.

Elfie started, flushed, and then went into the house to meet her fate.
There was only one person it could be, and her instinct told her that
life would be different after this interview to what it was at present.
Her time of uncertainty and waiting was now at an end, and Dane Hall
would soon be her home