"Oh, Fluff--at the Firs! It would be kind of you to cheer my poor old father up with a visit." "But I'm not cheering him up with any visit--I'm not particularly fond of him. I'm staying with Mr. and Mrs. Spens." Frances opened her eyes very wide; she felt a kind of shock, and a feeling almost of disgust crept over her. "Mr. Spens? Surely you don't mean my father's lawyer, Mr. Spens, who lives in Martinstown, Fluff?" "Yes, I don't mean anybody else." "But I did not think you knew him." "I did not when last I saw you, but I do now--very well, oh, very well indeed. He's a darling." "Fluff! How can you speak of dull old Mr. Spens in that way? Well, you puzzle me. I don't know why you are staying with him." "You are not going to know just at present, dearest Francie. There's a little bit of a secret afloat. Quite a harmless, innocent secret, which I promise you will break nobody's heart. I like so much being with Mr. Spens, and so does Philip--Philip is there, too." "Philip? Then they are engaged," thought Frances. "It was very soon. It is all right, of course, but it is rather a shock. Poor little Fluff--dear Philip--may they be happy!" She turned her head away for a moment, then, with a white face, but steady, quiet eyes, said in her gentlest tones: "Am I to congratulate you, then, Fluff?" "Yes, you are--yes, you are. Oh, I am so happy, and everything is delicious! It's going on beautifully. I mean the--the affair--the secret. Frances, I left Philip at the gate. He would like to see you so much. Won't you go down and have a chat with him?" "I can not; you forget that I am Mrs. Carnegie's companion. I am not my own mistress." "That thin, cross-looking woman staring at us out of the bower yonder? Oh, I'll take care of her. I promise you I'll make myself just as agreeable as you can. There, run down, run down--I see Philip coming to meet you. Oh, what a cold wretch you are, Frances! You don't deserve a lover like Philip Arnold--no, you don't." "He is not my lover, he is yours." "Mine? No, thank you--there, he is walking down the Rose-path. He is sick of waiting, poor fellow! I am off to Mrs. Carnegie. Oh, for goodness' sake, Francie, don't look so foolish!" Fluff turned on her heel, put wings to her feet, and in a moment, panting and laughing, stood by Mrs. Carnegie's side. "Oh, I beg your pardon," she exclaimed when she could speak. "I know who you are, and I am dear Frances's cousin, Fluff. I know you would not mind giving the poor thing a chance, and allowing me to stay and try to entertain you for a little." "Sit down, my dear, sit down. You really are a radiant little vision. It is really most entertaining to me to see anything so fresh and pretty. I must congratulate you on the damask roses you wear in your cheeks, my pretty one." "Thank you very much; I know I have plenty of color. Do you mind sitting a little bit, just so--ah, that is right. Now we'll have our backs to the poor things, and they'll feel more comfortable."