She felt both pained and irritated, and found herself hoping almost eagerly that Mrs. Lancing would not speak of Rupert Haverford to others in that slighting, half-mocking manner. From where she stood she could see right down almost to the entrance gates, for the trees were leafless, and the window where she stood was set high. Rupert Haverford was walking up the broad drive briskly, and Betty was dancing beside him. Caroline studied him attentively for a time, then turned away from the window and laughed. "How ridiculous I am!" she said to herself; "why on earth should I mind if she sneers at him or praises him? Assuredly it is no affair of mine." Of course Betty went straight to her mother's room on entering the house, and after a while Miss Graniger went down to fetch both children. She found Mrs. Lancing on the sofa with one little daughter crouched up beside her, and the other engaged in softly rubbing her brows. "I wish I could go to bed," Camilla said. "I do hate these kind of family functions. And Agnes loves them." There was a fretful tone in her voice. "Poor mummy," said Betty, and stooping, she laid her pretty little lips on her mother's face. Both children were so happy to be with her. "Sit down and tell me all you have been doing since I saw you," commanded Mrs. Lancing. "How long have you been down here? It seems like a century to me." "Have you wanted us very much, sweetie?" asked Betty, and Camilla turned to kiss the dear little face. "So much--oh, so much!" and then she moved a little impatiently on the couch. "Some one is knocking," she said; "it must be Aunty Brenny. Open the door and bring her in, Betty." She just flashed a look at Caroline and gave a little laugh. "Now for my scolding," she said in a low voice. But Mrs. Brenton did not scold. She greeted Camilla most gently and affectionately, and was greatly concerned to hear about the bad headache. The mere fact, however, that she ignored all mention of the truant act of the night before stung Camilla into a little show of bad temper. "Don't for goodness' sake follow Rupert's lead," she said, "and adopt a martyr-like expression. I know perfectly well, Agnes, that you were furious with me because I did not turn up last night, now, weren't you?" "I was not furious exactly," said Mrs. Brenton, "but disappointed, and rather surprised." "I couldn't help it," said Camilla, in the same impatient way; and then the colour flooded her face and her eyes lit up for an instant as she smiled. "Don't grudge me my few remaining holidays; I shall not have too many in the future. Yes, darlings"--this to Betty--"you must go. Caroline wants to make you ready for lunch. You are going to put on those pretty new frocks that I sent down and make yourselves ever so smart. Of course you shall sit next me at luncheon. What an idea! Where else would you sit? I shall have one of you on each side of me."