It was rather a bitter pill for them to swallow, that Maud should take precedence of them in everything—that she should be courted, flattered, brought forward and made much of, whilst little notice was vouchsafed to them. Maud had been kept studiously in the background at Thornton House, had been stinted in every way as to dress, and made to look and feel as insignificant as possible; therefore it was the more provoking for them to see how attractive and winning she appeared, now that she had cast off her chrysalis shell and had emerged as a bright and brilliant butterfly. Matilda and Bertha found it trying at first to witness Maud’s triumphs; but motives of policy taught them to conceal all ill-feeling, and gradually Maud’s simple goodwill and generosity towards them took the sting from their jealousy, and brought them to a more reasonable and pleasant frame of mind. They were in a high state of exultation now, for they had been at last invited to the great _fête_ of the county, Sir William Gainsford’s garden-party, followed by a dance—an annual glory from which hitherto they had been excluded, and upon which they had looked very much as the Peri did upon Paradise. But here they were at last, walking in the beautiful grounds, playing tennis with the _élite_ of the county, and tasting all the joys of an increased dignity and self-importance. Maud and Aunt Olive were there under Phil’s escort; but Matilda and Bertha were too well content with their own share of glory to grudge Maud her triumphs. Was not a young baronet now talking as pleasantly to them as if he were an intimate acquaintance? What might not result from festivities like these? Mrs. Belassis and her two daughters were gathered together under the shade of a spreading beech-tree, and the youthful Sir Herbert was making himself very agreeable, when a tall figure was seen leisurely approaching, and Bertha said softly: ‘Here’s Phil.’ Sir Herbert glanced up as the new-comer approached, and then his face brightened visibly. ‘Why, Torwood!’ he exclaimed, ‘who would have thought of seeing you here, amid all the resources of civilization! I am glad to see you again. Is Debenham here? Are you still partners? I think I did hear the name mentioned; but I never guessed it would be Phil Debenham that I knew in Canada. Is he here?’ Tor looked into the lad’s bright face with an amused smile. ‘He is here, my dear fellow. He is standing before you.’ Sir Herbert glanced round quickly, and then up into Tor’s humorous face. ‘You’re not Phil Debenham!’ he exclaimed. ‘Indeed; that’s news to me. Who am I, pray, if I’m not myself?’ ‘Why,’ said Sir Herbert slowly, ‘I beg your pardon; but I thought you were Torwood, and the other fellow Debenham.’ ‘Whereas I am Debenham, and the other fellow Torwood,’ answered Tor easily. ‘No; really though!’