Madelene glanced at her younger sister as Ermine spoke. "You might wear your sailor serge every morning now, I think, Ella," she said. "That frock is getting shabby and it is a dingy shade. You remember we couldn't get the grey we wanted. About Christmas time too, one likes to see people looking bright." Ella surveyed her garments with a half indifferent air that was rather irritating. "I think it does very well," she replied. "Even aunty thought two new winter frocks enough. I don't see that it matters so long as it is warm, and indeed to tell the truth, I like this better than my Sunday frock; it is so clumsily made." Madelene said no more. "Every step forward seems followed by two backwards with her," she reflected. "Ermine had better not build any castles in the air about her and Philip--if she had the slightest suspicion that _we_ should like such a thing, it would, I do believe, make Ella detest him." "I have sent over to the Manor, Ella," she said as she rose from the breakfast-table; "the groom should be back by half-past twelve or so, as Mrs Belvoir is sure to be at home. I am sure you are feeling anxious about the poor little slipper." "I am," said Ella. "Thank you, Madelene." And indeed it was partly distress of mind about the lost property which was making Ella indisposed this morning to take a roseate view of life. "The weather seems really settling in for frost," said Ermine. "After the rain it will make the roads very slippery. I hope the frost will last till after Christmas, now it has begun. I wish I could go a good long walk this morning, but I fear we mustn't think of it--eh, Maddie?" "No--there are arrears of things to see to even after being away only two days," Miss St Quentin replied. "You might get Philip to take you a walk after luncheon, when I go to sit with papa." "And Ella too," Ermine added. "Would you like a nice long walk, Ella? It would be a pleasant variety to have an escort for once." "No, thank you," said Ella, stiffly, though in her heart she thought Ermine much kinder than her elder sister. "I don't care for walking in the afternoon. I shall go out after I've finished my practising this morning." "Not alone, Ella?" said Madelene; "or at least if you do go alone, it will not be further than the grounds, I hope?" "No," said Ella, "I don't mean to leave the grounds." She spoke more amiably--for this sort of authority or interference on her sister's part did not irritate her, as it might have done some girls. She resented nothing which gave her the sensation of being considered a person of importance. Twelve o'clock found her walking briskly down the drive which led to the principal entrance. The sharp clear air stimulated her nerves pleasantly; she felt high-spirited and almost happy. As Madelene had said truly, Coombesthorpe had a beauty of its own in every season.