Could
anything have happened of which she was unaware? No letter from The
Manor had reached her for some weeks past, but letters were proverbially
scarce at Christmas-time, so that it would be foolish to argue ill from
that fact alone. Darsie braced herself physically and mentally, squared
her shoulders, and resolutely dismissed gloomy thoughts.

Noreen and Ralph met her at the station, looking reassuringly cheerful
and at ease a magnificent new motor stood in waiting outside, with a
cart for the luggage. Inside the beautiful old house the atmosphere was
warmed by hot pipes, and scented with the fragrance of hothouse plants,
banked together in every corner. It was not the usual case of being
warm and cosy inside a room, and miserably chilled every time one
crossed a passage or ascended the stairs. Mrs Percival and the girls
were marvels of elegance in Parisian gowns, Ralph looked his handsomest
in knickerbocker suit and gaiters, and the servants moved noiselessly to
and fro, performing their tasks with machine-like accuracy.

Extraordinary how complete a change of scene may take place between
lunch and tea! How swiftly a new atmosphere makes the old unreal!

As Darsie sat drinking her tea in the old wainscoted hall, it seemed
impossible to realise that such things as poverty and struggle were in
existence; even the shabby bustle and squeeze of her own dear home
became incredible in the face of this spacious, well-ordered calm!

Mrs Percival made no attempt at private conversation, and showed no
trace of "ulterior motive" in manner or conversation, which was a huge
relief to Darsie's mind. She was not in a mood for serious
conversation; what she wanted was the usual Percival offering of praise,
admiration, and petting, and this was bestowed upon her with even more
than the usual generosity. The grey-whiskered old Squire kissed her on
both cheeks; the girls assured her that she was prettier than ever, and
greeted her feeblest sallies with bursts of delighted laughter. Ralph
gazed at her with adoring eyes; it was all, as Darsie had been wont to
remark, most grateful and comforting!

The first evening passed pleasantly enough, though there was a
noticeable effort on the part of each member of the family to keep the
conversation from touching upon the subject of Ralph's affairs. Any
reference to Cambridge was taboo, as Darsie swiftly discovered, but
there were many points of interest left, which were both plea