“Come,” she continued authoritatively, “it is time we are getting back; the sun is slipping behind Pilatus. Keep out of this steamer’s wash, and row to the landing,” and without another word he obeyed. As the two slowly mounted the hill hand in hand, half-way in the ascent, they halted on a little plateau where, under some ancient pine trees, there was a rough wooden bench,--a thoughtful provision not uncommon in a land of views. Here Fritz said: “My mother is all eyes, like the dog in the fairy tale. She sees everything; but she will see me, my own master before long. In a week I go,--and the sooner I depart, the sooner I return to you, my Mitli, and for always,” and he snatched her into his arms, and kissed her passionately. “Well, it pleased him, poor boy,” said Cara to herself; “he was certainly extraordinarily handsome, and what, after all, were a few kisses?” CHAPTER XXIX “Mrs. Hesketh comes to-morrow,” her mother announced to Cara, as she folded up a letter. “I’m so glad, aren’t you?” “_Comme ca!_” she rejoined with a shrug. “_Moi je n’aime pas les antiquities!_” “Oh, Cara! and she has always been so kind, and generous to you.” “And why not? I am her goddaughter, the child of her greatest friend. She has no one belonging to her, and heaps of money. If she is so rich and so fond of you, Mum, why does she let you board in a Swiss farm-house, with barely enough money to pay for _pension_, and work hard to make up the rest? She ought to have us to live with her!” “She would gladly--she has often invited us, but I’ve refused. I cannot live on anyone, I must be independent.” “Then you and I differ, Mum. I am ready to live on anyone who will give me a good time!” “Dear child, you are only joking, but for goodness’ sake don’t say such things before Mrs. Hesketh. She might think you were serious.” * * * * * Mrs. Hesketh was visibly changed and aged; her hair was grey, her step languid, her eyes, however, still held their old fire. The evening after her arrival, she and Letty sat in the window of her sitting-room at the Paradis, which overlooked the lake. “I came at once, you see, my dear. If I had not roused myself, I’d never have done it. As soon as I’d read your letter I rang for Tomlin, told her to pack and wire for places, and behold, me!” “You look completely done up and frightfully tired.” “I’m always done up and tired now; the fact is, Letty, I’m an old woman.” “Oh, don’t! You are _not_,” protested Letty with unusual warmth. “Yes, I am; my heart and brain may feel young, but my body is aged. Age is a strange thing; it creeps after us for years, and we go marching on, imagining our youth or middle life will last. All at once, as in a night, age springs out and seizes you--you look at yourself in the glass, and it’s there,--or you hear it. And I can assure you it is a shock! Some years ago I was waiting to be served in a hairdresser’s, and I overheard a man say to another: