"Do you _like_ work?" inquired Miss Charlotte, watching her nimble fingers, and quitting abruptly the former subject. "Very much indeed." Charlotte shrugged her shoulders with a spice of contempt. "I hate it; I once tried to make a tray-cloth, but it came out a bag; and mamma never gave me anything more." "Who did the sewing at your house?" "Betsey, of course. Mamma also used to do some, and groan over it like anything. I think ladies never ought----" What Charlotte Travice was about to say ladies ought not to do was interrupted by the entrance of William. He had not been indoors since the early dinner, and looked pleased to see Mildred, who had come by invitation to spend a long afternoon. "Which of you will go out with me?" he asked, somewhat abruptly; and his mother came into the room as he was speaking. "Out where?" she asked. "My father has a little matter of business at Purford to-day, and is sending me to transact it. It is only a message, and won't take me two minutes to deliver; but it is a private one, and must be spoken either by himself or me. I said I'd go if Charlotte would accompany me," he added, in his half-laughing, half-independent manner. "I did not know Mildred was here." "And you come in and ask which of them will go," said Mrs. Arkell. "I think it must be Mildred. Charlotte, my dear, you will not feel offended if I say it is her turn? I like to be just and fair. It is you who have had all the drives lately; Mildred has had none." Charlotte did not answer. Mildred felt that it _was_ her turn, and involuntarily glanced at William; but he said not a word to second his mother's wish. The sensitive blood flew to her face, and she spoke, she hardly knew what--something to the effect that she would not deprive Miss Travice of the drive. William spoke then. "But if you would like to go, Mildred? It _is_ a long time since you went out, now I come to think of it." _Now I come to think of it!_ Oh, how the admission of indifference chilled her heart! "Not this afternoon, thank you," she said, with decision. "I will go with you another opportunity." "Then, Charlotte, you must make haste, or we shall not be home by dark," he said. "Philip is bringing the carriage round." Mildred stood at the window and watched the departure, hating herself all the while for standing there; but there was fascination in the sight, in the midst of its pain. Would she win the prize, this new stranger? Mildred shivered outwardly and inwardly as the question crossed her mind. She saw them drive away--Charlotte in her new violet bonnet, with its inward trimming of pretty pink ribbons, her prettier face raised to his--William bending down and speaking animatedly--sober old Philip, who had been in the family ten years, behind them. Purford was a little place, about five miles off, on the road to Eckford; and they might be back by dusk, if they chose. It was not much past three now, and the winter afternoon was fine.