She was surprised beyond measure that Margaret's marriage should have left her the winner in the race; but it was satisfactory that, as she cared for money and Margaret did not, she should have it, and Margaret would soon forget that horrible man, who was, however, not all horrible, since he had done this. "Pray see about your luggage, Miss Rivers," said Lady Lyons, very languidly, when they arrived at the station. "Surely your maid can do that," said Grace, with a little toss of her head. "How can she possibly know your luggage when she has never seen it?" asked Lady Lyons, fretfully, but not without a show of reason. "Maids should have instincts," said Grace, as she sailed along the platform to point out her boxes. This difficulty overcome they got into a cab, the maid following in another. But, as Lady Lyons was always afraid of being cold, she took a bearskin of some standing, a roll of rugs, and a bottle of lavender-water. She gave the man unnecessarily minute directions, and pulled up her window. It was the last days of a hot June. Grace let her window down with a bang that very nearly shivered it to atoms. "My _dear_ Miss Rivers, pray put up the window. I have such a languid circulation, and I am ordered by my medical men to be careful about draughts." "There really cannot be a draught when one window is hermetically closed," said Grace very coolly; "be as stuffy as you like on your side of the carriage, but I must have fresh air." Lady Lyons was a little daunted, and said nothing. In a moment or two she began to cough, a short cough improvised for the occasion. Grace took no notice. "If I am very ill you will have to send to Wandsworth for Mr. Jones," she said, at length. "Why should you be ill? Fresh air is what you want, Lady Lyons. You are coughing on purpose." "My _dear_ Miss Rivers." "Wait till you hear me cough; then you will know a real cough when you hear one," said Grace laughing and putting up a little bit of window. She did not want to quarrel with Lady Lyons, but she did intend to assert her independence from the first. They went to a private hotel, where again Grace interfered. She would have nothing but the best rooms, and all the little arrangements put forward in an economical form by poor Lady Lyons were ruthlessly swept upon one side. "I did not come here to economise," said Grace, with a grand air, as they took the rooms in Brook Street. For the first few days Grace was content, and more than content. She did not care about being seen till she was what she called properly dressed, and she certainly knew what she wanted, and got it, as people usually do when they have the command of money. Then came the grand question of society, and poor Lady Lyons was completely at a standstill. "Surely you know a few people, Lady Lyons; some one to make a beginning?" Lady Lyons reflected. "I have been out of it so long," she murmured; "yes, there is a very kind friend; I wonder if she is in London?"