"Oh, how lovely! We are three miles from Windermere station, but we have a pony carriage and bicycles, and could drive over to see you. Do sit down, Madge. I don't know anyone here, and it is so dull sitting by myself in a corner." "I am afraid I can't. I am with mother, you see, and she doesn't like to be left alone. Perhaps I shall see you again before I go!" And Madge Newcome nodded, and strolled off in a careless, indifferent manner which brought the blood to Hilary's face. Mrs Newcome was talking to a group of friends and looked very well satisfied, so much so that Hilary suspected that the daughter's anxiety had been more for herself than her mother, and that Miss Madge did not appreciate the attractions of sitting in a quiet corner. "It's very unkind, when I told her I knew nobody; but she was a selfish girl at school. She doesn't want to stay with me, that's the truth. I wish this horrid afternoon would come to an end!" she told herself dolefully, and it was with unconcealed delight that at last she heard the sound of Mr Rayner's crutches, and welcomed that gentleman to a seat by her side. He looked brighter than she had yet seen him, and had evidently been enjoying himself upstairs. "Well," he said cheerily, "here you are in the midst of the merry throng! Have you had a pleasant time? Not! Why, how's that? I thought you enjoyed seeing a crowd of people." "I thought I did, but I find I don't like it so much as I expected," said Hilary dejectedly. "When people are talking and laughing all round, and I am left to keep myself company in a corner, it isn't at all amusing. I suppose there are a great many celebrated people here, but I don't know one from the other, so I am no wiser." "Never mind, I know them all. We will sit here quietly, and when anyone interesting comes along, I will let you know. Your father has been so kind to me, and has encouraged me until I feel as strong as a giant, and greedy for work. He has asked me to come down to the Lakes to visit you some time in spring, so I may see you again before long. Now then! one of those ladies over there on the sofa is the Duchess of M---. Guess which of the three she is!" "Oh, I know; the pretty one, of course, with the blue dress, and the bonnet with the cream lace." "Wrong! Guess again." "The dark one with the beaded cape!" "Wrong again! It is the grey-haired lady in the corner."