"Oh, I don't mind," said Cornelia, easily. "If my name is of any use, use it for all you're worth. I shouldn't have supposed anyone would know it over here. They don't in Norton." "My dear, the hotel is crammed full of Americans, and any one of them would say it was poor business to refuse the daughter of Edward B Briskett. The connection might be worth a heap, if you went home and allowed you were satisfied. Silas don't count for anything--he's no push! We might have waited for ever if it had been left to him!" To judge by the hangdog expression of the said Silas as he came forward to greet his guest at the door of the Ritz, the success attending his wife's manoeuvres had not inspired him with any particular joy. Cornelia thought he looked more henpecked than ever, but he received her warmly, and hovered round to assist with the smaller impedimenta, while his wife hurried forward into the hotel. Inside all was brightness and gaiety; little parties of visitors grouped here and there about the large, light hall; obsequious clerks bowing before one, hoping that the rooms reserved might give satisfaction; begging to be informed if any comfort were lacking; summoning waiters to show the way to the lift. Cornelia was annoyed to notice that most of these attentions were directed towards herself, but as Mrs Moffatt did not appear to take umbrage, it seemed wisest to make no protest. The mistake was not likely to occur again, for with so many guests in the house, individual attention could not extend beyond the arrival civilities. Tea was served in the Empire suite, which had been reserved for the party, and Cornelia hated herself for feeling so little in sympathy with a host and hostess whose one anxiety seemed to be to provide for her enjoyment. From a printed list of amusements, she was bidden to make her choice for every evening in the week; for the afternoons, river- picnics were suggested, coaching expeditions to outlying scenes of interest, drives in the Park. For the mornings--well, naturally, there was just one thing to be done in the morning, and that was shopping! "I hope you've brought up heaps of money, my dear. You'll need it. The things are just heavenly this season!" Mrs Moffatt declared, but Cornelia remained unfired. "I've a circular note; it's all right so far as that goes, but I shan't want any more clothes for ages! I brought over a whole trousseau, and so far as I can see, the half will go back unpacked. They don't dress down at Norton--they _clothe_! You've got to be covered right up to the chin, and to work in all the blue serge you can, and that's about all there is to it. If you fixed-up like we do at home, you'd make as much stir as the fire-engine. I'd like to mail a few presents, if I saw anything really new and snappy, but I shan't go near a store for myself."