"Trust me!" cried Rosamond. "Oh! I am so thankful to Mr. Bowater. Julius and I had our blood boiling; and I said as much or more to Cecil than woman could, but she minded me no more than the old white cockatoo; and Julius said our telling would only make more mischief." "He was quite right," said his mother. "Let there not be one word of opposition, you know; only swamp it. You could get up some charades, and have something going on all the evening." "Trust me for that! Oh! if my darling Aileen were but here! But Tom is the very model of an actor, and Terry is grand, if only we can keep him out of the high tragedy line. King Lear is the mildest thing he condescends to!" "Could you manage a Christmas-tree? The taking up a room beforehand is inconvenient; but I should like to offer some little substantial bait, even to the grown-up;" and her eyes twinkled merrily. "I know a better thing," said Rosamond; "an enchanted grove with a beneficent witch. We did it at St. Awdry's, with bon-bons and trumpery, in a little conservatory, hardly large enough to turn round in. If I may have the key of the conservatory, I'll manage." "You shall have what you please; and perhaps you would kindly go and choose the things at Backsworth. There is a very good fancy shop there." "Thank you, thank you! How sweet!--Now, Anne, you will see what you shall see!" "Is there to be dancing?" asked Anne, humbly yet resolutely. "There shall not be, my dear, if it will spoil the evening for you," said Mrs. Poynsett. "I promised," said Anne. At that moment the servants came in with the preparations for the afternoon tea, closely followed by the ever punctual Cecil. Mrs. Poynsett asked her whether she would require the barouche on the morrow, since Rosamond and Anne would want it to go to Backsworth, to obtain requisites for a children's entertainment to take place on Wednesday. "Some friends of mine are coming on Wednesday," said Cecil "Indeed! In Raymond's absence?" "This is not a dinner, but a ladies' party." "Then it will combine the better." "Certainly not," replied Cecil. "Mine is simply intellectual--only a few intelligent women to meet Mrs. Tallboys in the library. It will be quite apart from any amusements Rosamond may like to have for the children in the drawing-room." "Pray, will they require nothing but this feast of reason and flow of soul?--for the housekeeper will need warning." "They will have dined. Nothing but coffee will be wanted." "For how many?" "About twelve or fourteen, thank you. Excuse me--I have something to finish in my own room." They were very glad to excuse her, and the following note was concocted to serve both for those she might have invited and those she might not; and it was copied by the two daughters for all the acquaintance who had young folks in their houses. An appearance of want of unanimity was carefully avoided, and it stood thus:--