"After Easter. At her school they don't like going out in Lent," said Lady Haredale, opening her eyes, and speaking as if keeping Lent was a Japanese custom recently introduced. "She's been _so_ well brought up by good Miss Haredale. But now she is eighteen, and it's time to take her out. The fact is, her aunt has had money losses--the last person among us who deserved them--but none of us ever have any money! She has been down here, poor woman, with Lord Haredale, to settle about it all." "She feels parting with her niece, no doubt." "Oh yes, dreadfully. But of course we shall let Amethyst go to her constantly. I'm so grateful to her for bringing her up. I hope the child will rub along with us comfortably. We shall have a few people staying with us soon; and while we are down here we must get these children taught something--they can do nothing but gabble a little French and German. Amethyst is finished, she has passed one of these new examinations. I hardly know what they are--but we left all that to her aunt, of course," concluded Lady Haredale, with a slight tone of apology. "And I think she's too pretty to be a blue." "I hope she will find Cleverley pleasant," said Miss Riddell as she rose to take leave. "I'm sure she will," said Lady Haredale sweetly and cordially, as she shook hands with her guest. "Of course we shall do our best to enjoy ourselves while we are in retreat. Though I don't mind confessing to you that I detest the country." "She looks innocent enough," thought Miss Riddell as she walked away. "Silly I should say--but a real beauty." "That woman's more frumpish than Aunt Annabel," said one of the girls as the door closed behind the visitor. "Just her style, dear good creature," said Lady Haredale. "But they're the _Cheshire_ Riddells, you know, my dear--quite people to be civil to." CHAPTER FOUR. THE HOME CIRCLE. Lady Haredale was naturally gifted with peculiarly even, cheerful spirits. She had a great capacity for enjoyment, though she had troubles enough to break down a better woman. She had married at seventeen a man much older than herself, already in embarrassed circumstances. Her step-children both disliked her, and had given her very good cause to dislike them.