"Well, well?" said Mrs Fortescue, with great interest. "Mr Timmins wants us both to go up to London to-morrow to see him." "And, of course, I am to go with you." "He does not say so; in fact, I know he wishes us to go alone." "That is very odd." "He tells us the train to go by," pursued Brenda, "and also the train by which we can return. If we leave here at nine o'clock to-morrow morning, we shall get to London a little before twelve. We can be back with you in time for dinner or supper." "And he says nothing about my going?" "He does. He says he wishes us to go alone; that we are to travel first-class. He sends us a postal order for our fares." "First-class!" said Mrs Fortescue, with a sniff. "Of course girls in your position will travel first-class. It is absurd even to think of any other mode of travelling." "Yes," said Brenda calmly, "he says first-class, and he has sent us the money." "He wants to talk to you about your future, dears." "Probably," said Brenda. "We shall have to go," she continued, and she looked across at Florence. Florence said "Yes," but her tone was not very lively. Mrs Fortescue glanced at her. "She is thinking of Lieutenant Reid," was her thought. "Poor child! Well, of course, he is handsome and well-born, and she has plenty of money, only I always did think that with her great beauty she would be the one to make the best match. However, there is no interfering with nature, and if she loves him--and beyond doubt he loves her--it will be all right." Aloud Mrs Fortescue said-- "You had better send a telegram to Mr Timmins to tell him you will go up by the train you mention. I will prepare sandwiches for you for the journey, and take you to the station and come again to meet the train by which you return. Nothing will induce me to neglect even a particle of my duty: you may be certain of that, my loves. Only I do hope, Brenda, that if you can put in a word for one who truly loves you, during your interview with Mr Timmins, you will mention me as the chaperone you would like best." "I will mention you with real affection," said Brenda; and she got up as she spoke and, going up to the little woman, kissed her on her forehead. Then she said, gently: "Mr Timmins specially says not to send a telegram--that a postcard will do equally well." CHAPTER FIVE. A PROPOSAL AND A PROMISE.