A Plucky Girl

s of the carriage were seen the coronet, with the eight strawberries, which denotes the ducal rank. The coachman and footman were also in the well-known livery of the Duke of Wilmot. One of the

d, glancing round,

ia," replied mother; "but whom d

e nearest chair. She rea

the whole question, and thought that at this hour they would, in all probability,

look at me, Duchess?" I a

lly with a large fan which she wore at her side. "There, sit down in that little chai

I answered; "this room is

around her. "It has, my dear Mary-forgive me for the remark-a little of the May

ms, Duchess, but it does very well for us, and it is certainl

ever," said the Duchess. "What the girls of the pr

continued, giving me an approving nod. "Yes, yes,

see us to-day, Victo

to my receptions, but by-and-by I doubt not it can be managed. The fact is, I admire you both, and very often think of you. The Duke also is greatly tickled at the whole concern; I never saw him laugh so heartily about anything. He says that, as to Westenra, she is downr

the big room, and then

of Mayfair go to the British Museum sometimes. It is colossal and national, and you live close to it. Do you often study there, We

fortable," I said. "We e

to see you, Victo

be perfectly happy, all this time she had been more or less suffering. Sh

of nature. I never thought Westenra would become odd; she bids fair to be very odd. I don't agree with the Duke. I don

said, seeing

a, to let you and your mother know that whenever you

d not afford it, and I don't know either that we should care to

respectable one, with a little ground round, I and other people I know might have got ladies to live with you and to pay you well. Our special friends who wanted change and quiet might have been very glad to go to you

mother,"

epeated, "willing to g

was very rude, but I could not quite help myself), "you prom

e out of her round, go

st what that me

realise it in the very least. Now stepping back again might mea

atic individual, always sleeping in the house, and generally some time during the day having a little chat with mother, but for the rest he was seldom present at any of o

chess, "I scarcely exp

not quite certain about this, for I could not see him very well from where I was standing, but I di

lph last year in

ing why the Duchess had coloured when she saw him. Why had she called him Jim? If she only met him last year abroad it

ce, and you think your old godmother very unkind, but whenever you step up I shall be waiting to help you. Good-b

om behind the drawing-room curtains, then the carriage rolled away, and the square was left to its usual solid respectability. Doctors' carriages did occasionally driv

ss of Wilmot? Captain Furlong was quite up in the annals of the nobility. This was one of his little weaknesses, for he was quite in every sense of t

so charitable, so good. She was a Silchester, you know, she comes of a long and noble line.

," answered

All you

"we were brought up

and mother helped herself. Captain Fu

ve me a violent n

able; but Marion, if you'll believe it, will have nothing to do with them. She says she would not be a curate's wife for the world. What I say is this, she wouldn't always be a curate's wife, for he would be sure to get a living, and if he were a smart preacher, he might be a dean by-and-by, or even a bishop, just think of it. But Ma

d not repeat either that the Duchess happened

other things occupied the attention of the boarders, and

but one, Mr. Rando

appen to have secured, through a friend, three tickets for the first night of Macbeth.

lked a step or two away. I thought for a moment. I should have greatly preferred to refuse; I was beginning, I could not tell why, to have an uneasy feeling with regard to Mr. Randolph-ther

rse I shall like it. Thank

e." He did not allude again to the matter, but talked on indiffere

seen when we lived in Mayfair. She was subject to palpitations of the heart too, and often turned quite faint when she went through any additional exertion. These symptoms had begun soon after our ar

s in my dear mother's presence, and I was willing and

was lying in bed supported by pillows. Her dear, fragile beautiful face looked something like the most d

her frantically, "are you

l," she answered, "a little weak, but that

don't do a gre

do too little. If I had mo

uppose, and that so

visiting, more variety, more exchange o

ke him?

ou, my d

er, I am not sure a

entlemanl

s other than what he seems, we

of Jane Mullins'

ave only to look from one face to the other to see what a wide gulf there is between them. He is accustomed to good society; he is a ma

conversations with me. He likes the neighbourhood. H

y that such a man would th

etful quaver came into her voice. "Well," she added, "I am glad th

e it won't be to

so wanting to

right, and I

e this morning from Mr. Randolph; he wants u

the

; is there an

ued; "why should we put ourselv

ed be afraid; if I think it right

twice about it. If the Duchess, for instance, asked us to dine with her, and if she took

. I have written a line to him to say that we will be pleased to dine with him. He is to meet us at the hotel, and is

keep Mrs. Armstrong ou

ever, she is a good soul, and I must learn to put up

very quiet,

our white

hite silk, tha

flowers. I want to see you in white again. I am perfectly

glad I was going to the Lyceum with Mr. Randolph and mother, but when I saw a new interest in her face and a brightness in her voice,

Jane Mullins to be a very great occasion, she (Jane) followed me to my door. I hear

oping you would not put on that dismal

aking with great abruptness, "what part of the

ment; there came a t

d like to ask you that question

f you now," I said

cake. It strikes me that the cake of this establishment is becoming very rich

answered with impatience. "Wh

," said Jane at once; "it

I, Ja

at the end to give the subtle flavo

e, you are very

ess, dear, I am glad

erwise I should not wear it. To tell the truth, I never f

it has leaked out that you won't be there, nor Mrs. Wickham, nor-nor Mr. Randolph, and that I'll be the only one to keep the place in order to-night. I do trust those attic boarders won't get the better of me, for I have a s

e the Westenra of old times as I gathered up my fan and white gloves, and wrapped my opera cloak round me. I was ready. My dress was simplicity itself, but it suited me

ery beautiful. The ladies of the establishment were fussing round her. They had

t was a little brougham, dull chocolate in colour. A coachman in quiet livery sat on t

ured to myself. "What sor

e drove off. It was now the middle of November, and I am sure several faces were pressed