Monitress Merle

the Foo

onveyed the young people and all their belongings to T

eclared Mrs. Glyn Williams. "I hardly know how to th

uldn't do it myself to save my life! And Gwen says the same. Oh, here

gnised her. She did her hair in a new fashion, and was wonderfully grown-up, and even more patronising than formerly. She said a la

. Glyn Williams, trying to be pleasant to Bevis over the tea-cups. "It's a nice place, and will re

s own confusion and the delight of the fox-terrier Jim, who thought it was do

y you to turn out," p

were there last week looking at the new building. The w

hunting," advised Tudor airily. "If I were you I'd get those lawyers to start

at I mean to do," re

rds. The sporting landlord, with a horizon bounded by the local meet or a county ball, was a type that did not appeal to him, and he saw no reason why he should be forced by a spurious public opinio

this invitation to The Warren, where he found himself in

ble to trouble to entertain her old friends, matters were not as exhilarating as they mig

nuisance! Why can't the people get up their own instead of always expecting her to bother wi

her when we are goin

s as they put

ways like this. I vote we try not

e outside waiting for admission, and through these our party had to push their way to a side entrance. At the back of the platform great confusion raged. The whole of the Castleton family seemed to be trying t

d it's full of tea-cups!" said Beata, kneeling on the floor to

ith us, Romola, and mount guard over the door while we change. I'm

Dad suddenly altered the whole tableau and made me get into this instead. Wasn't it

right bag, Mavis? Oh, here are some of Bevis's things

ance, but the girls did their best for one another and were pleased with the result. As soon as they were ready

groaned the former. "I expect I'll forget e

. "If you could act it last night you can act it to-ni

't get baity! I won't let

y scouts, who were acting as stewards, and who vigorously turned out the rank and file if they invaded the reserved benches. The

was helping in one of the tableaux. "It's something to have the

ared the Vicar, making a hurried visit behind the

first meeting of Dante and Beatrice,' and was a charming presentment of mediaeval Italy. Constable, robed in pale green velvet with a Florentine cap on his picturesque curls, made a very glorif

was superior to anything of the sort given before. Without the Castletons the entertainment would have been almost non-existent. They provided the greater half of the programme. They were so accustomed to posing as models that they took most graceful posit

ciated Claudia's songs. Her voice was of a rare quality, and even the rough lads at the back of the room stopped 'ragging' and listened in silence. It was very highly trained singing, but held that divine throb of passion

ind the scenes. "Signor Arezzo would be simply furious if he knew. He's a terrible Turk about it. I

accompaniment on the piano, and for the encore that followed she repeated some quaint poems of American child-life, which were

eperous. The chairman had to keep constantly ringing a bell and reminding people to be quiet. The noise at the back waxed so violent that his voice could hardly be heard, and the occupant

h Rel

that he was coming that very day to have lunch with them. Mavis, as the diplomatic widow, with grey hair and tortoise-shell-rimmed spectacles, looked at least fifty, and preserved her disguise admirably. As for Merle, not a soul in the audience would have recognised her as Augustus. She wore Clive's Eton suit and overcoat, had a brown wig

captivate the old gentleman. In vain the luckless Augustus tried to ingratiate himself with his rich relation; he was unfortunate enough to tumble over the gouty leg and make several other most exasperating mistakes, which ended in Uncle

manoeuvres breathlessly, and several old ladies looked quite scandalised and disapproving. It was only when called before the curtain that, at a whisper from Mavi

time. Gwen, you ought to have been in too! The Castletons were splendid! Such a number of nice young people here! We ought to have a little dance. They must all come up to The Warren to-morrow eveni

letons and the Macleods and the Colvilles and several other people on the spot. The Ramsays, who had made plan

said to Mavis in a

uld I h

er up, Bevis! A dance is a dance, anyway. I

her hospitality it was no doubt his own fault. The fact was that the snubs which he had received as Bevis Hunter still rankled,

came into the estate-except you and Merle!" he said once rather bitterl

re," she replied. "It's no use keeping up ill-feeling, Bevis. If they

inate between my old friends and my new acquaintance

dance, and looked very gay and festive with its Christmas decorations of holly and ivy, and its blazing fire of logs in the hall. Mavis's and Merle's party dresses duly arrived, and they made careful toilets, coming downstairs shyly, to feel a little in the shade by the

orrid time, just when every one is arriving? It's e

ome of these were introduced by Tudor, and asked for dances, and very soon

irls dancing with one another. Merle readily whisked away with Tattie, or Nan, or Lizzie, but shy Mavis, after the first two-step, stood in a corner unnoticed. Gwen was enjoying herself very much with the pick of the partners, Beata and R

till I found you. I thought the pixies must have spirited you away! What did you say? I ought to ask Gwen? It isn't necessary in th

alf to

e have them I won't dance at all. I'll hide in the conservator

se you. Oh, dear! Well, if you've written

, Miss Ramsay?" twinkled

uch! You may!"

my own way!" chuckled Bevi

s their steps went well together they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. At the close of the third

know you!" she said to Bevis archly. Then, tapping Mavis with her fan, she continued, l

for him. She did not attempt to find a partner for Mavis, who was too overwhelmed with confusion to care to dance even with Lizzie Colville, and w

play it and give me a rest, my hands are so stiff," said Mrs.

sure!" answered Mav

s had cut Bevis in the old days and poured scorn on the Ramsays for knowing him, and it seemed too bad that their present hospitality to him should still be a subject for blame. Mavis's

I'm busy here! Mrs. Glyn Will

ss under his breath, deliberately passed by several eligible wallflower

ing supremely. Mavis was very glad when it was all over and she was quiet in bed. Some new element seemed to ha

ot ourselves who have changed, but other people who won't allow us to be the same. Why couldn't things go on as they wer