"Have you, really? I am sorry; but you are well repaid. Three letters for you, and only one for me. You are fortunate to-day." "Bertha--Carrie--Norah!" Mildred turned over the envelopes one by one, and skipped into the drawing-room with dancing tread. "Now for a treat. I love letters. I shall keep Bertha's to the last, and see what these other young ladies have to say for themselves." She settled herself comfortably in an armchair, and Miss Margaret, having read her own note, watched her with an expression of expectant curiosity. The two first letters were short and obviously unexciting; the third contained several inclosures at which Mildred stared with puzzled eyes. One looked like a telegram, but the flash of fear on her face was quickly superseded by amazement, as she read the words of the message. Last of all came Bertha's own communication, and when that had been mastered the reader's cheeks were aglow, her eyes bright with excitement. She raised her head, and there was Mardie staring at her from the other end of the room, and smiling as though she knew all about it. "Oh, Mardie, the most wonderful thing! It's from Mrs Faucit; an invitation to go and stay with them for a whole month! She has written to Mother, and here is a telegram which came in reply, saying that she is delighted to allow me to accept. I am to go at once. There is a note from Mrs Faucit as well as one from Bertha. So kind! She says they are to be at home for a month before taking the girls to Switzerland for a few weeks, and that it will be a great pleasure to have me. I wish--I wish--" She stopped short, staring at Miss Margaret with an expression of comical penitence. Even when that lady inquired, "Well, what do you wish now, you dissatisfied child?" it was several minutes before she replied. "Nothing; only when you have made a great fuss about a thing, and it turns out in the end that you haven't to do it after all, you feel rather--_small_. I wish now that I had been good and resigned; I should feel so much more comfortable. I suppose my going won't make any difference to you, Mardie?"