"Of course I didn't. No one must know before poor Mrs Fortescue, and I suppose she must be told after we have been to London to see Lady Marian Dixie. All the same, Brenda, I can't realise it a bit. Things are going on just as usual, and we are to stay here till the end of our holidays. We have till at least the twentieth of January to be happy in. Why should we be miserable till then?" "I have no intention of being miserable," was Brenda's remark. A few minutes later, the girls got into bed and slept with that sound refreshing sleep which only comes to most of us in early youth. The next day, Lieutenant Reid did himself the pleasure of calling on Mrs Fortescue. He said he came to see her, but he looked decidedly disappointed when he was told that both the girls were out. "They are with Susie Arbuthnot," she said. "They went early this morning and won't be back until late. I think they are going to have tea at the Arbuthnots'." Mr Reid's face decidedly fell. "But you and I will have tea together," said Mrs Fortescue; "and I can tell you about the dear girls. I can see that you are much interested in them." "Can you?" he asked, looking at her critically. She laughed. "Of course I can," she said. "Why, you hardly left my beautiful Florence's side the whole of yesterday evening. You ought not to pay such marked attentions if you don't mean anything by them." "But suppose I do mean something," he said, all of a sudden. Then Mrs Fortescue drew her chair nearer to that of the gallant lieutenant and spoke with great earnestness. "I have not the least idea," she said, "what the girls' fortunes will be; but I know, of course, that they must be exceedingly well off. No expense has been spared during their school-days. Their dress has been quiet but of the most expensive make, and they have been taught every possible accomplishment, even riding, which you know is always a serious item in school bills. Mr Timmins is a very reserved man, and has told me nothing of what is now to happen to them." "But surely, you must know something?" said the lieutenant, who at that moment seemed quite to forget that he would like Florence equally well if she were as poor as a church mouse. "As a matter of fact, I know nothing. Mr Timmins came down to see the girls on Christmas Eve, and was with them for a little time, but he had no talk with me. Still, I make not the slightest doubt that I shall hear from him soon and, in all probability, we shall leave Langdale and go to London. I am quite willing to go with the dear children and to help them any way in my power." "They will both marry young," said the lieutenant, with exceeding gloom in his voice. "They will be surrounded by suitors of all sorts. A homely sort of fellow like--like--" "Oh, you mustn't compare yourself to a homely sort of fellow," said Mrs Fortescue. "An officer in His Majesty's army! A soldier can take his place with any man."