Before the girls could say anything by way of comfort, Mrs Faucit herself entered the room and walked straight towards the couch on which Mildred was sitting. She looked pale and distressed, but the manner in which she put her arm round the girl's waist was certainly not suggestive of anger. "I am so very sorry that this scene should have occurred, Mildred," she said; "but I have been having a talk with Lady Sarah, and she takes all the blame upon herself. She is sorry that she spoke as she did, and I think she will be more considerate of your feelings for the future. I said the other day that I knew you must often feel provoked, and how pleased I felt to know that you controlled your temper. I wish, dear," she sighed heavily, "I wish you had gone on as you began! It would have been a great relief to me; but perhaps it was too much to expect. You are young and impulsive." "Oh, no, no! don't make excuses! I am a wretch, I know I am!" sobbed Mildred penitently. "It was hateful of me to speak rudely to a guest of yours--so old, too. Mother would be miserable if she knew. But it was so maddening! I bore it as long as she found fault with me, but when she began criticising Mother--saying that she didn't dress me properly, and had no right to allow me to come here,--I couldn't keep quiet any longer--I couldn't! It made me too furious. I was obliged to explode." "I know! I know. I am sorry the girls' dresses were ever brought down--that was the beginning of it all. Mildred, dear, I hope you won't think any more of what Lady Sarah said on that subject. I noticed how pretty your dress looked when you first arrived, and we will see that it is made fresh and bright again for the picnic. It came into my mind to order a dress for you like the ones which the girls are to wear, but I was not sure if you would like it, or if it would seem as if I were dissatisfied with what your mother had provided." Mildred threw her arms round the speaker with one of her bear-like hugs. "All, you know! you understand!" she cried; "you are so different. It was sweet and lovely of you to think of it, but I'd rather not. If people don't care to have me in my old clothes, I'd rather stay away altogether. But I have ever so many pretty things stored away in my box--new gloves,--ribbons,--a lace collar. I can make myself quite respectable. Don't be worried, Mrs Faucit, please! I'll try to be good and not vex you again. Do please take your forehead out of crinkles." Mrs Faucit laughed at that, and stroked the golden head with a caressing hand. She had grown very fond of her young visitor during the last few weeks, and found her coaxing ways quite irresistible.