The broad terrace was covered by an enormous veranda, and Annie found it even more enjoyable outside than in. She liked the importance of taking her tea alone, and was particularly gratified when several nice-looking people turned to look at her. She was certainly an attractive girl, and when her cheeks became flushed she was almost pretty. The waiter came up and asked her for the number of her room. She gave it; and he immediately remarked: "I beg your pardon, madam; I did not remember that you belonged to Lady Lushington's party." "Yes; but I wish to pay for this tea myself," said Annie, and she produced, with considerable pride, a five-pound note. The man withdrew at once to fetch the necessary change. As he did this a party of travellers who had evidently only just arrived turned to look at Annie. There was nothing very special about her action; nevertheless the little incident remained fixed in their memories. They had heard the waiter say, "You belong to Lady Lushington's party." The note of wonder was struck in their minds that a girl of Annie's age and in the care of other people should pay for her own tea. Annie, however, collected her change with great care, counting it shrewdly over and putting it into her purse. She then re-entered the lounge. When she did so the lady who was seated near her turned to her husband and said: "Is it possible that Lady Lushington is here?" "It seems so," said the gentleman; "but we can soon ascertain, my dear, by looking at the visitors' list." "I shall be exceedingly pleased if she is," said Mrs Ogilvie, for it was she. "I have not seen Henrietta Lushington for two or three years. She used to be a great friend of mine. But what in the world is she doing with that girl?" "Why should not Henrietta Lushington have a girl belonging to her party?" was Mr Ogilvie's response. "There is nothing the matter with that fact, is there, Susan?" "Oh, nothing; and I know she has a niece, but somehow I never thought that the niece would look like that girl." "Why, what in the world is the matter with her? I thought her quite pretty." "Oh, my dear Henry! Pretty perhaps, but not classy; not for a moment the style of girl that Lady Lushington's niece would be expected to be. And then her paying for her own tea--it seemed to me slightly bad form. However, perhaps the girl does not belong to our Lady Lushington at all." Meanwhile Annie was doing a little business on her own account in the great hall. She had got possession of the visitors' book, and was scanning the names of the visitors with intense interest. Nowhere did she see the name Ogilvie, and in consequence a great load was lifted from her heart. She ran up in high spirits to Mabel's room. "No fear, May; no fear," she said, skipping about as she spoke. "Mrs Ogilvie is not here at all; I have looked through the list."