As the welcoming arms clasped her, and the smiling lips kissed her, Amethyst felt as if she had never known what happiness meant before. CHAPTER FIVE. SISTERS. The visitors, who were introduced by Lady Haredale as, "Our neighbours at Ashfield, Mr Leigh, and Mrs Leigh," speedily took their leave. Amethyst had hardly seen them; for the whole evening was dazzling and dreamy to her, full of emotion and excitement. It was hours before she could sleep, though a wakeful night was a new experience to her. But when she woke the next morning rather late, she was sensible of the light of common day, and came down fresh and cheerful to find herself the first at breakfast, and nobody there to receive her apologies for having overslept herself. Breakfast was in the "library"--a pleasant room, but with no books in it to account for its appellation; and Lady Haredale soon appeared, while the three girls straggled in by degrees. "Now, you bad children," said Lady Haredale gaily, as the meal concluded, "you know you have all got to make up your minds that Amethyst will go out with me, and that you are all still in the school-room." "Where is it?" asked Tory, with her lazy drawl. "There isn't much to go out for, that I see--down here," said Una. "Oh, you are all spoiled," said Lady Haredale. "Amethyst never saw such a set of ignorant creatures. I shall leave her to tell you what good little girls should be like." There was a sweet lightsome tone in Lady Haredale's voice, that seemed to Amethyst to indicate the most delightful relations between herself and her daughters, though the three girls did not look responsive. "Have you any pretty frocks, my dear?" said Lady Haredale, as she rose to go away. "I mean to have some parties, and there will be people here. If his lordship won't let us go to London, we must amuse ourselves here, mustn't we? Though I don't despair of London yet." "I don't know--I'm afraid you wouldn't think my best dress very pretty, mamma." "`Mamma'--how pretty the old name is on her tongue!" Amethyst blushed. "I'm afraid it's old-fashioned," she said, "but the Rectory girls at Silverfold say `mamma.' Do _we_ call you `mother'?" "Do you know," said Lady Haredale, "`mamma' is _so_ old-fashioned that I think it's quite _chic_. And very pretty of you; go on--I like it. And never mind the frocks. Of course it's my place to dress you up and show you off--and I will. I'm glad you're such a pretty creature." She kissed Amethyst lightly as she passed her, and went away, leaving the girl embarrassed by the outspoken praise. But Amethyst knew, or thought she knew, all about her own beauty, and accepted it as one of the facts of life; so she roused herself in a moment, clapped her hands together, and sprang at her sisters--seizing Una round the waist.