t Molly and Douglas had waited to see her step
in and drive off, but they had run off half an hour before, nurse
having packed them a lunch-basket, as desired.

Nesta smiled at the excited child, as she and Prince tumbled themselves
into the carriage with a good deal of fuss; but when they were once
off, driving through the shady lanes, Betty folded her little hands
demurely round Prince in her lap, and upon her face came that dreamy
look her friend so loved to see. She did not ask questions, and the
drive was a quiet one, until they at length drove through some iron
gates round a thick shrubbery, and up to a big white house with green
Venetian shutters, and a brilliant show of roses in front. Betty was
lifted out, and taken up some low stone steps into a broad
old-fashioned hall. It seemed very cool and quiet inside; thick soft
rugs lay about the tiled floor, large pots of flowering shrubs stood
here and there, and at the farther end was an open door with striped
awning outside, and a glimpse of a smooth grassy lawn and bright
flower-beds.

Nesta opened a door, and led Betty into a darkened room, full of sweet
scents of heliotrope and roses.

'Now I am going to bring you something, so sit down and wait for me.'

Betty's quick eyes were taking in everything; and as for Prince, his
nose was as busy as his eyes, and a low growl and a stiffening of his
ears soon told his little mistress that he had discovered something
objectionable. When Betty crossed the room on tip-toe, she found him
in front of a large mirror, and the snarl on his lips was not pleasant
to see, as he faced his mock antagonist.

'Oh, Prince, for shame! I must hold you; what would I do if you broke
that glass? Now come and look at these beautiful pictures. Look at
that lady up there; she has got a little dog in her arms very like you.'

It was a pleasant morning-room, with plenty of pretty ornaments
scattered about, and after the farm kitchen it had a great fascination
for Betty.

Nesta presently returned with some sponge cakes and a glass of
raspberry vinegar, which Betty found most refreshing.

'Do you live here all alone?' she asked.

'No,' said Miss Fairfax, smiling; 'I have my mother and sister here.
My mother is not very well to-day, but I will take you to see my sister
now. Come along, this way; will Prince be good?'

'Yes, he won't bark at all unless he meets another dog.'

Betty trotted along, following her guide across the h