"I propose, all being well, to pay you a short visit from Tuesday to Thursday next, twelfth to fifteenth instant. Please let me have the same rooms as on my last visit. I am at present living on Benger's food, and must ask you to see that it is made freshly for each meal, in a _perfectly clean, enamelled saucepan_. "The chief object of my visit is to bring back one of your three daughters to stay with me during the summer vacation. I have been feeling somewhat lonely of late, and my doctor recommends young society, so it has occurred to me that in obeying his instructions I might at the same time afford pleasure and benefit to one of your family. Should I become interested in the child it might be to her advantage hereafter, but it must be understood that I can make no promises on this point. "The eighteen months which have elapsed since my last visit have somewhat dimmed my remembrance of your girls, so that I must see them again before deciding as to which of the three I should prefer as a companion. "With love to William and yourself,-- "Believe me, my dear Emily,-- "Your affectionate Aunt,-- "Maria Hayes." Mrs Garnett read this communication in silence, handed it to her husband, and watched him flush and frown over the perusal. "Does not even go through the form of asking our consent!" "No! That's Aunt Maria all over. You could hardly imagine that she would. Oh dear! Oh dear! I'm afraid, Will--I'm _afraid_ she will have to go!" "Poor little kiddie, yes! How she will hate it! Just at this moment when they are all wild with joy at the thought of their holiday with the Vernons. It seems positively brutal!" "Oh, it does. I am so sorry for her--whichever it may be--but one must sometimes be cruel to be kind. We can't afford--I am not mercenary, as you know--but with our means we _can't_ afford to refuse any possible advantage for our girls! The sacrifice of a summer holiday ought not to weigh against that." "No, you're right, quite right. So be it then. Write and tell her to come, only I tell you plainly my holiday's spoiled... With Darsie gone--" "Dear! she has not chosen yet." "Dear! you know perfectly well--" They looked at each other, smiling, rueful, half-ashamed. It seemed like treason to the other girls, this mutual acknowledgment that Darsie was the flower of the flock, the child of the six to whom all strangers were attracted as by a magnet. Clarence and Lavender were equally as dear to the parents' hearts, but there was no denying the existence of a special and individual pride in the fascinations of Darsie. Mr Garnett turned aside with an impatient shrug. "There's one thing, Emily, _you_ must tell her when it is settled! There'll be a tremendous scene. I flatly refuse--"