"What a child!" she said, and bent forward and kissed Prudence on the cheek. She was, nor did she hide it altogether successfully, a little disappointed. Edward had prepared her for a young daughter-in-law, but she had not expected to see any one quite so youthful in appearance. Comparing them as they stood side by side, the disparity in age struck her unpleasantly. "My dear," she said, "I had not realised you were so young." "I don't think I realised it myself," Prudence returned, feeling her courage oozing away before the hard scrutiny of those critical eyes, "until to-day. I've an unfledged feeling since leaving home. But I'm twenty." Twenty! And the man who proposed to make her his wife might, had circumstances so ordained it, have been her father. "She'll grow up, mother," Mr Morgan observed, and pressed the girl's arm reassuringly. "I must try to equalise matters by growing younger myself." But the old lady was not encouraging. "You won't succeed, Edward. It's like planting a bulb the wrong way in the soil; it grows against nature downwards, curves about, and works its way to the surface, crooked. Prudence will have to grow to you; you can't go backwards." He reddened and laughed a little constrainedly. "I feel as young as I did at twenty," he said. "Prudence will help to rejuvenate me. I refuse to be discouraged." He crossed to the tea-table, poured the girl out a cup of tea, and brought it to her. "We've had a tiring journey," he said. "I expect you'll be glad to go to your room and rest. There's a family gathering to-night--in your honour." He smiled down into the startled upraised eyes, and added: "Just my brother and his wife. You'll find Mrs Henry amusing. She's very eager to meet you." "Rose always gushes over new acquaintances," Mrs Morgan interposed. "She is making plans for Prudence's entertainment, although I told her that Prudence was coming for the purpose of making our acquaintance, and might prefer to avoid festivities. I think she might have waited to consult her wishes." "Oh!" cried Prudence, with a ring of pleasurable excitement in her tones. "But that's awfully kind of her." "You see," Mr Morgan said, enjoying the sight of her pleasure, and feeling grateful to his sister-in-law for her forethought, "the idea is not amiss. We are out for amusement and agreeable to anything that offers. Rose's plan is excellent." "Rose is glad of any excuse for gaiety," Mrs Morgan said. "It is ridiculous for a woman of her age, with two big boys, to amuse herself in the undignified manner in which she does. There is to be a dance next week. She says it will introduce Prudence to the neighbourhood. In reality it is an excuse for indulging in a form of exercise which she has outgrown." "Do you enjoy dancing, Prudence?" Mr Morgan asked. Her sparkling eyes answered him.