'There is no thought of payment entertained by me. No sum that could be mentioned would adequately compensate for the attention, the direction, the correction that will be lavished on the young lady. I do not sell my services,' said the widow severely; 'if it be deemed right that a honorarium should be offered, I resign myself to it. But the large circle of my acquaintance, their distinguished quality, and my wide experience enable me to impart to any young lady placing herself under my protection an air of refinement that is the exclusive privilege of the aristocracy, and I venture to say that you would have to go far afield to obtain advantages equal to those offered under this modest roof. Oh! here they return, and apparently good friends.' As the two girls entered the room, Mrs. Tomkin-Jones examined Winefred with a critical eye. 'Country made or mismade,' she said. '_Nous allons changer tout cela._ And now, my good Jose, may I offer you something to eat or to drink? We shall be going out for a drive in ten minutes, and I must haste with my dressing. I am so sorry that I did not think of this before. A biscuit now? A glass of sherry? No――then――excuse me, a cruel fate bears me away, a social necessity――I must dress before my drive. Trust me. I will do my best by the young lady, and when you see her again, you will find her transmuted.' CHAPTER XXXI A CHARIOT DRIVE 'Madam! the chariot is at the door.' 'Bless me! not dressed. I ordered it for three o'clock.' 'It is now on the stroke,' said Jesse. 'Dear, dear! the clock has stopped. Jesse, you forgot to wind it up last week.' 'I did not know it was my duty, mother.' 'It is always your duty when I forget to do it. I shall be ready instantly. Winefred――I understand that is your Christian name, and a very charming name it is――we will drop formality, and no more call you Miss Holwood――I will show you Bath, or the Bath, as it was wont to be called.' 'And the chemist's where the celebrated pill was compounded?' asked Jesse. 'My dear'――Mrs. Tomkin-Jones rose to her full height――'I hate profanity. Remember that your father wrote out the prescription, if you desire that your days may be long in the land. Now, Winefred, put on your things. Sylvana, are you coming?' 'No, mamma, not if I am to sit with my back to the horses.' 'You forget your breeding, child. A visitor, of course, sits beside me.' 'I know that, mamma, therefore I decline.' 'You will come, Jesse?' 'As you wish, mamma, and show to the admiring visitor the City of Bladud, Beau Nash, and of Tomkin-Jones.' 'My dear, eschew flippancy.' In a quarter of an hour the ladies were ready, and descended to the carriage. This was a somewhat battered conveyance, let by the hour, drawn by a horse that had known better days, as had the chariot and the driver. The steed leaned forward, so that but for the counterpoise of the carriage he would have fallen headlong on his nose.