"Indeed, my dear, I wonder you are not laid up as it is," said Miss Carr kindly. "You are on your feet from morning till night, and everyone comes to you for directions; I am afraid you will break down when the excitement is over. There is generally a collapse on these occasions. Have you any idea what you are all going to do after the young couple have departed?" "Get the house in order, and go to bed for a week," said Hilary brightly, flushing with pleasure at Miss Carr's words of praise, and at the murmur of assent which they had evoked from her companions; but it appeared that other people were more energetically inclined than herself, for both Miss Briggs and Raymond seized the opportunity to air secret plans of their own. "I wanted to speak to you about that, Mr Bertrand! My sister in Scarborough is most anxious that I should pay her a visit, and take Geraldine with me, and I think the sea air would do us both good." "And I should like to have some shooting with Ferrars in Scotland. He has asked me so often, and I could just fit it in this year." Mr Bertrand looked at his two daughters--at Hilary, bright and natty, but with shadows under her eyes which spoke of the fatigue she would not acknowledge; then, with an anxious tenderness at Norah, whose unusual quietness for the last few days he understood better than she suspected. "Really," he said, "if all the world is going off pleasuring, I don't see any reason why we should be left behind! What do you say, girls-- shall we go off for a tour on our own account? I think we deserve a holiday after our hard work and a run on the Continent would do us all good. Helen, what do you say? Will you come and take care of the girls? Rayner, I can't tackle three ladies unassisted. You had better join us, and take care of me!" "I should certainly not leave the girls to your tender mercies, you scatter-brained man," said Miss Carr, smiling, as though well pleased at the suggestion. "You might forget all about them, as as you did on another memorable occasion, and the consequences would be disastrous. Yes!--if you take plenty of time, and don't rush about from place to place, I should be glad of a change myself. This wedding--" "It is too good of you to include me. Wouldn't I like it!" cried Mr Rayner, with a smile which made him look quite young and boyish. "September is lovely in Switzerland. The rush of tourists is over, and the autumn tints are wonderful. But we ought to get off as soon as possible. You will have to give up your week in bed, Miss Hilary!" "I may as well give up bed altogether, I think, for I shall not sleep a wink for thinking of it. Oh, father dear, you are good! I drink to you!" And Hilary held up her teacup, bowing and smiling, and looking so bright and pretty that it was a pleasure to see her.