Accordingly she sent for Tildy and told her what she expected her to do. "Matilda," she said, "cook has gone, and I shall be quite content with tea and toast and a lightly boiled egg for my lunch. After lunch you can take the train to London and convey a message from me to Miss Maggie." "Oh mum, 'ow beauteous!" said Tildy. "I will have a letter ready which you are, if possible, to put into her own hands." "Yes, 'um; and don't I long to see 'er, jest!" "Well, this is the address," said Mrs. Martin. "Get everything cosy and comfortable in the house, and bring me my tea by one o'clock. A train will take you to Victoria at half-past one, which you ought to catch. You can easily be back here between four and five; by that time the new cook will have arrived." "Things ain't dull a bit to-day'," said Tildy. "They're much more Shepherd's Bushy, and I like 'em a sight better than I did." "Well, go now, and attend to your business," said Mrs. Martin. Having secured a messenger, Mrs. Martin next prepared to write to poor Maggie: "MY DEAR CHILD,--Most unfortunately your father has discovered the letter you wrote to me. He doesn't say much, but I can see that he is furiously angry. He intends to take me with him to call on you next Saturday--I presume, some time in the afternoon. I will try to make him dress in as gentlemanly a manner as possible, and also will endeavor to prevent his talking about the shop. You must make the very best of things you can, dear; for there's no possible way of keeping him from Aylmer House.--Your affectionate mother, "VICTORIA MARTIN." When the letter was finished Mrs. Martin put it into an envelope, addressed to Miss Maggie Howland, Aylmer House, Randal Square, South Kensington, and put it into Tildy's care. Tildy caught her train all in good time, arrived at Victoria, and took a bus to South Kensington. A very little inquiry enabled her to find Randal Square, and at about half-past two she was standing on the steps of that most refined and genteel home, Aylmer House. The look of the place impressed her, but did not give her any sense of intimidation. When the door was opened to her modest ring, and the pleasant, bright-looking parlor-maid answered her summons, Tildy gazed at her with great interest but without a scrap of shyness. "I've come from 'er 'ome to see Miss Maggie 'Owland," said Tildy; "and I've a message for 'er from 'er ma."