"It was at breakfast, mother; we had planned our day, and then all of a sudden Marcia turned round and faced us. She said that she was going to look after you one day in the morning and the next day in the afternoon, and that we three girls were to look after you during the alternate times, and she said--" "She surely didn't say anything so monstrous and inhuman in the presence of your father?" "That's the worst of it, mother, you wouldn't believe for a single moment that she could, but she did." "I don't believe you, Molly." "Well, mother, I'll call her back, she will tell you, she has practically said so already before you, now, hasn't she? She said she didn't want to leave Frankfort, but that she had come, and she would stay and do her duty; but that we were to do our duty too, and if we refused, she'd go back to Frankfort. She will be of age almost immediately, and father says she cannot be coerced, and the fact is she will go unless we do it. And oh, Mothery, Horace too is on her side. There's no hope at all, and we are three miserable girls! What is to be done? What is to be done?" Molly flung herself on her knees by her mother's side and sobbed against her mother's thin white hand, and Mrs Aldworth never recognised the selfish nature or perceived the shallow heart of her eldest child. After a time, however, Number One rose paramount in the good lady's heart. "Now get up, my dear. Of course this little matter will be put right. You had better stay with me this afternoon, but Marcia must come in and we can talk things, over." "She half promised to come in to tea. I don't believe she will; she'll be too much afraid." "Oh, my dear, she won't defy me long. She'll do what I wish; you leave it in my hands. I don't say for a single moment that you may not have to give up this one dance, but that is all. Marcia has returned to look after me, to be with me morning, noon, and night, to read to me, and amuse me, and alter my dresses and do everything that I require, and you, my three little girls, are to have your pleasure. But you must come to visit your poor old mother daily, won't you, Molly?" "Oh, darling, of course we will. We just love to come." "And you must tell me all about your parties and your fun generally, won't you, Molly?" "Oh, yes, yes, mother." "And whisper, Molly. Marcia has very good taste; she is an exceedingly clever girl." "Hardly a girl, mother; she will be twenty-one, soon." "Anyhow, dear, she is young, I must admit that, and she has very good taste, and perhaps she'll help me to make some little extra finery for you. Now, dear child, get up and go on with that novel. I am so anxious to hear if Miss Melville really did accept Lord Dorchester or not."