"Will you be kind enough to take care of the keys for me, Sarah?" she asked. "There are a good many valuables in the chest in the strong-room, and I should feel more comfortable if you were in charge. James will apply to you for anything he needs, and pray do not hesitate to give him your instructions in return. By the way, Mildred has just been telling me that Cecile spoke to her some days ago of our leaving home! I can't imagine how she can have known about it. I am afraid I have never got over my first dislike to that woman, Sarah. I don't like her prying ways, and I don't like her manner to you. You are not given to spoiling your servants, but it seems to me that you are allowing Cecile to get the upper hand; and if that goes on, it will be a great mistake. She does not impress me as a woman whom it is safe to indulge!" Lady Sarah gave an impatient toss to her head. "Oh, my dear Evelyn!" she cried; "it is easy for you to talk. You have your husband and children, and are not dependent upon a servant. I am! Cecile has it in her power to make my comfort or misery, and she is a capable woman, who understands my requirements. I have suffered so much from inefficient maids that I cannot afford to quarrel with one who really suits me!" She evidently did not appreciate her friend's interference, and Mrs Faucit realised that there was no more to be said on the subject. CHAPTER ELEVEN. THE PICNIC AT LAST. The next morning Mildred awoke to find the sun pouring into her room through the uncurtained windows. A moment of sleepy confusion, and then remembrance awoke. It was the day of the picnic--the all-important day which had been dreamt of so long, and with such ardent anticipation. She jumped out of bed and ran to the window, to see if the sky fulfilled the promise of the sunshine. Well, not quite! the blue was broken by ominous clouds, which the wind drove along at a speed too rapid to be reassuring. Mildred knew that radiant mornings had an unpleasant knack of settling down into gloomy days, but she was so anxious to think the best that she would not allow herself to dwell upon unpleasant truths. It was enough to put anyone in good spirits to dress in that delicious blaze of sunshine, and the meeting at the breakfast-table took place under the brightest auspices. "Isn't it a perfectly scrumptious day? Doesn't it make you want to skip and dance?" cried Mildred enthusiastically. "I feel as if I could do anything when the sun shines like this--it's so inspiring--it makes you feel so strong, and light, and well. I could jump over a mountain, I believe, if there was one in my way." She gave a spring over a stool as she spoke, by way of illustrating her words, and might possibly have proceeded to further exploits had not Lady Sarah entered the room at that moment and taken her seat at the head of the table.