‘I think I must return the compliment, little sister, and tell you that I like to see you look just as you do.’ ‘Do you?’ she cried gaily. ‘How nice of you! Because, you know, I am not really pretty—I wish I were, but I know I’m not. My nose turns up just a very little (Matilda calls it a snub, but it isn’t so bad as that), and my mouth is too straight, and my chin rather square, don’t you think?’ feeling it critically. ‘But if you like me as I am, I don’t care a bit; and when I have pretty dresses—for I do know how to dress, I think—then I flatter myself that I have a sort of _je ne sais quoi_ expression which is very nice.’ Tor looked down at her with an amused look in his great grey eyes. ‘Well, Maud, you shall have as many _je ne sais quoi_ expressions as ever you please now, if those and new dresses are identical. The mistress of Ladywell Manor must certainly “walk in silk attire and siller have to spare.” Well, little sister?’ For Maud clasped his arm tight, and made a little bound into the air. ‘Oh, it is so lovely to hear you talk! Everybody here is so stingy and prosaic. It is like walking into a nice novel.’ The _tête-à-tête_ was interrupted at this moment by the arrival of Lewis upon the scene. ‘Good-morning, Maud. Good-morning, Phil. What a lovely day it is!’ Tor assented readily, casting a keen, quick glance at his cousin, who was perhaps to be Maud’s husband before very long. This thought he found unpleasant; but he was not unjust, and he did not on that account feel any acute dislike towards Lewis. On the contrary, he entered into amicable conversation, and the half-hour before breakfast slipped rapidly away. Tor began to wake to the consciousness that he was a very popular man in his new surroundings. At the conclusion of the repast he found that Matilda and Bertha had attached themselves to him, and had evidently no intention of allowing him to make a second escape. These nominal cousins of his did not specially attract him, but he was willing for the moment to drift with the current and to make himself agreeable to all, so he submitted gracefully to their attentions; and as he found, they intended to remain his companions for some time, he proposed walking over to Ladywell and arranging for the luncheon-party there on the following day. This scheme was gladly acceded to, and the plan carried into execution. Lewis led the way with Maud, and Tor followed with the other ladies. Matilda was full of a gracious interest in all that concerned her companion. For awhile she had laid aside her laziness, and was sprightly and playful. ‘We so much hope that you are going to settle amongst us, Phil,’ she said. ‘We have all set our hearts on seeing Ladywell Manor opened at last, as such houses should be—a centre for hospitality and merry-making. It would be such an advantage to the whole neighbourhood, and would make a popular man of you at once.’