"I don't see that for a single moment," remarked Olive. "For my part, I love Scotch lassies; and as to Irish colleens, they're simply adorable." "Well, well, go on with your description, Fan," exclaimed Julia. "I can tell you they are quite remarkable-looking," replied Fanny. "Betty is the eldest. She is a regular true sort of Betty, up to no end of larks and fun; but sometimes she gets very depressed. I think she is rather dark, but I am not quite sure; she is also somewhat tall; and, oh, she is wonderfully pretty! She can whistle the note of every bird that ever sang, and is devoted to wild creatures--the moor ponies and great Scotch collies and sheep-dogs. You'll be sure to like Betty Vivian." "Your description does sound promising," remarked Susie; "but she will certainly have to give up her wild ways at Haddo Court." "What about the others?" asked Olive. "Sylvia and Hetty? I think they are two years younger than Betty. They are not a bit like her. They are rather heavy-looking girls, but still you would call them handsome. They are twins, and wonderfully like each other. Sylvia is very tender-hearted; but Hetty--I think Hetty has the most force of character. Now, really," continued Fanny, rising from her low chair, where her chosen friends were surrounding her, "I can say nothing more about them until they come. You can't expect me, any of you, to overpraise my own relations, and, naturally, I shouldn't abuse them." "Why, of course not, you dear old Fan!" exclaimed Olive. "I must go and write a letter to father," said Fanny; and she went across the room to where her own little desk stood in a distant corner. After she had left them, Olive bent forward, looked with her merry, twinkling eyes full into Susie Rushworth's face, and said, "Is the dear Fan _altogether_ elated at the thought of her cousins' arrival? I put it to you, Susie, as the most observant of us all. Answer me truthfully, or for ever hold your peace." "Then I will hold my peace," replied Susie, "for I cannot possibly say whether Fan is elated or not." "Now, don't get notions in your head, Olive," said Mary Bertram. "That is one of your faults, you know. I expect those girls will be downright jolly; and, of course, being Fan's relations, they will become members of the Specialities. That goes without saying." "It doesn't go without saying at all," remarked Olive. "The Specialities, as you know quite well, girls, have to stand certain tests." "It is my opinion," said Susie, "that we are all getting too high and mighty for anything. Perhaps the Vivians will teach us to know our own places." CHAPTER III GOING SOUTH