"Mama, look at her. She must be forty, at least," exclaimed Tessie. "She must be considerably older than Mrs Ascot--ever so much older than Lina." "What is it all about?" asked Selina, gently. "Never mind. Don't ask her, Lina. She is so dreadfully wise and clever that she is quite too much for me sometimes. I should not wonder if Mrs Glencairn would wish to engage her to supply Miss Robina's place when she is married." "Tessie, that is a secret. You promised not to tell--about Miss Robina, I mean." "How prudent, too?" said Tessie. "Mama, we are not crazy; only we are so glad to get home." "And indeed, mama, I am very willing to be a child for a long time yet," said Frederica, and seizing her little brother Hubert, she danced with him round the room to music of her own making. Catching Charlie's hands, Tessie followed, while Selina, laughing, joined in the music, though not in the dance. "Mama," said she, softly, "is it the same house do you think?" The boys might have grown too noisy, but Frederica brought their play to an end presently. "Mama," said she, "it is the loveliest of spring days. You think it cold, I daresay, as you have a fire, but it is just like summer, and I am going to drive you and Selina; and afterwards I will drive the boys, if they are very good. We will go very slowly; not in the streets, but away in the country. Mama, you are not afraid of my driving?" Mrs Vane shook her head. "No, love; I am not afraid. I am sure you can drive the ponies; but it is a long time since I was out. Selina will like to go, however." "And you too, mama--just a little way. Are you not so well, mama? You are tired. Something has tired you. Ah! these papers. I see. She could not have gone to church, and said her prayers quite happily, unless she had left you something to vex yourself with while she was away. Where are they? Why, mama, these are the very same I saw at Christmas--some of them at least," added she, after turning over a bundle of papers that lay on the dressing-table. "I see butcher's bill--baker's bill--grocer's bill. What quantities you and Selina must eat, mama! I don't understand them in the least. Were not all these things paid before, mama?" "Some of them must have been," replied Mrs Vane, wearily; "but I do not understand them." "And why should you be vexed? Is not Mrs Ascot here for no other reason than to save you all this trouble? And surely papa--" Mrs Vane made a sudden impatient gesture. "Papa can do nothing. There is nothing to be done but pay the bills, and he cannot pay them." "Has anything happened since we were at home?" asked Frederica anxiously. "Have we grown poor?" "No, no. Everything is as usual. Indeed, Mr St. Cyr gave me more money than usual. Rents have risen, he says. He was here not a month since, but the money has all gone--`to pay servants' wages and old debts,' Mrs Ascot says. I do not understand how it can be."