Hilary smiled with two-fold satisfaction. So Mr Rayner agreed with her in believing that Miss Carr's choice was practically certain. The prospect of living in London grew more and more attractive as the various advantages suggested themselves, and she was roll of delicious anticipations. "Oh, I will," she said merrily. "I am glad that I did not know you before you were ill, because I see no difference now, and I can do it more easily. I think I am like the Mouse; I like you better for being different from other people. She spent a whole morning searching for twigs in the garden, and now all her dolls are supplied with crutches." "Dear little mortal! I never met a sweeter child," cried Mr Rayner, and the conversation branched off to treat of Geraldine and her pretty ways. CHAPTER FOURTEEN. THE WISHING GATE. Lunch was ready when the visitors reached the hotel at Grasmere, and as they were equally ready for lunch, they lost no time in seating themselves at the large table in the window, and making a vigorous attack upon rolls and butter. The other tables were well filled, and Hilary held up her head with complacent pride, while Lettice and Norah nudged each other to call attention to the glances of curiosity and interest which were directed towards their father. "A party of Americans, and the waiter whispered to them as we passed. Oh, father, you are in for it! _Now_--I told you so! The one with the light hair is getting up. She is going upstairs to bring down the autograph albums. Wait till you've finished lunch, then it will be--`Oh, Mr Bertrand, such an honour to meet you; would you be kind enough to write your name in my little book?'" Mr Bertrand went through a pantomime of tearing his hair. "Is there no escape?" he groaned. "It's bad enough to be a lion in town, but I positively refuse to roar in the country. I won't do it. I have writer's cramp--I can't use my right hand. Rayner, my boy, I'll turn them on to you!" "He is only pretending. He is really awfully pleased and flattered. Wait till you see how polite he will be when they ask him," said Lettice mischievously; and, indeed, nothing could have been more courteous than Mr Bertrand's manner when the American party flocked round him in the hall after luncheon. "Your books are in every house in America, sir, and it gives us the greatest pleasure to have an opportunity of--" "Oh, come along!" whispered Norah, pulling impatiently at Edna's arm. "I know it all by heart. Come into the garden, both of you; Lettice and I have something to tell you--an exciting piece of news!" "Kitten dead? New ribbons for your hats?" queried Rex indifferently. He was sceptical on the point of Norah's "exciting confidences," but this time Lettice looked at him reproachfully with her great, grey eyes. "No, indeed--don't make fun--it's serious! Miss Carr is going to adopt one of us to live with her in London as her own daughter, for the next three years."