“It _is_ a dear old room!” said Aurea, surveying the apartment with unconcealed complacency. “When the bowls are filled with flowers, and we have a bridge table, and a jigsaw puzzle, we shall be perfect--old-fashioned, and in the fashion.” “Glad you think so!” said a little bleating voice in the doorway. “Lady Mary asked for you, Susan, and I told her you were out, or she’d have wanted to come poking in here. So”--looking about--“you’ve brought the black cabinet out of the schoolroom! Who gave you leave to do that? And”--she threw out a quivering forefinger--“the blue china bowls from the spare room, and _my_ screen! You take too much upon yourself, Aurea Morven! You should have consulted me. I am tired of telling you that I will _not_ be a cipher in my own house!” Aurea coloured vividly. Did her aunt forget that the chauffeur was present? Really, Aunt Bella was too bad. She glanced at the young man, who was standing on the steps straightening a picture; apparently he was absorbed in his task, and to all appearances had not heard the recent conversation. “Oh, I’m so sorry you don’t like the room, Aunt Bella!” said Aurea, seating herself in a high old chair, crossing her neat feet, and folding her hands. “Sorry!”--and Miss Parrett sniffed--“that’s what you always say!” “Now, my dear, please don’t be so cross,” she replied, unabashed; “you know, in your heart, you are delighted, and as proud of this drawing-room as a peacock with two tails.” “_Aurea!_” shrieked her aunt. “You have been here seven months, and you’ve not a single place in which to receive visitors. Look, now, at Lady Mary--you had her in the musty old study--and why?”--waving an interrogative hand--“simply because for months you could not make up your mind about the arrangement of this room. All the county have called--the first calls--and carried off the first impressions. None of your lovely old things were to be seen, but waiting to be settled.” “Aurea, I will not suffer----” “Please do let me finish, dear. Before I left, you may remember how you and I talked it all over--cabinets, china, sofas--and settled exactly where everything was to fit. I come back at the end of a month and I find nothing done; so I’ve made up my mind to work here for several days. I’ve asked the padré to spare me. This room is finished, and looks extremely nice; the next I take in hand will be the den! Now, as it’s after six o’clock, I’m afraid I must be off;” and she arose, stooped down, and kissed her aunt on the forehead, adding-- “Of course I know, dear, that you are immensely obliged to me, and so you need not say anything. Good-bye--good-bye, Susie,” waving her hand, and she was gone, leaving Miss Parrett in the middle of the room temporarily speechless. “Well--up--on my word!” and she took a long breath.