As for Miss Dreda herself, she was not only conscious of, but felt an acute enjoyment in observing the anxiety of her relatives on her behalf, and, like a true actress, warmed to her part under the consciousness of an audience. The more intently did her mother's eyes regard her, the more meek and downcast became her air; she figuratively turned the other cheek to Maud's tactless sallies, and played humble handmaid to Rowena's lightest wish. For one whole day--and then of a sudden weariness fell upon her. She reflected with horror that only two more days of the exeat remained, and determined to waste not another moment in repining. Within five minutes' time from the forming of this decision Maud was dumbfounded to find herself brutally snubbed, while a request from Rowena was received with a callous exhortation to "Do it yourself!" "I was wondering how long it would last," said Rowena, with a smile. "It was really an admirable impersonation, but what was the idea, Dreda? I can't quite see what you were driving at, but I suppose there was some reason behind!" "Yes, there was; several reasons! I've recovered, Rowena, because I am young and elastic, and time is a wonderful healer--but I've been through awful difficulties! Treachery and humiliation, and things turning to dust and ashes when you expected to enjoy them most. Talk of martyrdoms!"--Dreda rolled her eyes to the ceiling--"I look back, my dear, to the time when I lived quietly at home, and I can't believe it was the same person!" "Rubbish! Bunkum! Bosh! What high-falutin' you talk, Dreda! You're not changed a bit, and I'm glad of it, for, oh, my dear, I _have_ missed you! I've been _so_ dull! Come down from your stilts and talk sensibly. I'm aching for a good old talk." Dreda beamed with delight. Here was appreciation! No sign of superiority, no condescension from a young lady in long frocks and done- up hair towards a schoolgirl fledgling, but an open avowal of need, an invitation to a heart-to-heart talk on a basis of affectionate equality. She clasped her hands together in the intensity of her delight, and hitched her chair nearer her sister. "Yes, yes, let's talk, let's--let's _grumble_! We're both in the dumps, and it's so cheering to grumble and get it off your mind. Go on, you're the eldest--you've the first turn. Is it Maud?" "Oh, Maud! Maud is enough to drive anyone crazy; but she's only a part." "What's the rest?" Rowena leant her head on her hand and stared out of the window. The garden was dank and deserted, the country beyond showed no sign of habitation; the wind moaned among the tall, bare trees. "Dreda," she asked unexpectedly, "am I pretty?" Dreda's grey eyes widened with surprise.