"You have sent for me, Mrs Hazlitt," said Honora, "and I have come." "You have been very slow in obeying my summons, Honora," said Mrs Hazlitt, in her gentlest tones. "I am sorry," replied Nora. She came a step nearer, and stood before her mistress. She slightly lowered her eyes. The girls, who looked on in extreme wonder and interest, hardly breathed while waiting for the conversation which they knew was about to ensue. "I am very sorry, indeed," repeated Honora, "but I was detained. I had made up my own mind, but your messenger sought to unmake it." "Well, Honora," said Mrs Hazlitt, briskly, "you know, dear, that we have decided, amongst the other interesting events of the eighth of July, that Tennyson's `Dream of Fair Women' shall be recited by myself, and that, in order to give meaning and depth to the wonderful poem, I mean to present a series of tableaux to our guests. This will be nothing more nor less than that the `fair women' who are represented in the poem shall appear just when their names are mentioned, and, surrounded by limelight and suitably dressed in character, shall give point to my recitation. By unanimous consent, you, Honora, are elected to take the part of Helen of Troy. I have sent for you, dear, to tell you this. I shall study the dress of the period and will write to-night to a friend of mine at the British Museum, in order to be sure of good and suitable costumes. You will have nothing to do but simply to stand before the audience for a few minutes. I think I have got all the other characters, and I have sent for you mainly to express my desire. You, Honora, will be Helen, you understand?" "I understand what you wish," replied Honora. There was a question in her voice, which caused the other girls to look at her attentively. Mrs Hazlitt paused; she did not speak at all for a minute; then she rose slowly. "Being my scholar," she said then, "is but to know and to obey. You will be Helen of Troy. Now, girls, I think our pleasant meeting can come to an end, and it is supper time. Deborah, go into the house and see if supper is prepared in the north parlour. Good-night, girls; I may not see any of you again this evening." But, before Mrs Hazlitt could retire, Honora came a step forward and laid her hand on her arm. "You are mistaken," she said. "You must listen. Another girl must be found to take the part of Helen of Troy, for I refuse to act." The light was growing dim, for it was getting on to nine o'clock, but again the girls perceived that Mrs Hazlitt's cheek was flushed, and that her eyes looked almost angry. "What do you mean?" she said, coldly. "I don't like the character, and I won't appear in the tableau as the character, that is all." "But, when I desire you to be the character--" "I don't think you will force me against my conscience. This is a case of conscience: I will not be Helen of Troy." "Do you quite know what you are saying?" "Quite."