though six copies of the paper with her story in it had arrived for her, “With the compliments of the Editor,” that morning, she had not even looked at them. No one had cared: all that happiness and excitement had been years and years ago!

And yet had ever a week gone so quickly?

The days seemed all too short for everything she wanted to do in them. In the end she had done little except follow mother round the house, from kitchen to larder, from larder to store-room, and from store-room to linen-cupboard. The idea of going round to say good-bye to all her friends had to be given up; after all, it was mother that she wanted most.

At night she and Dolly, who shared a room, used to hold to each other and cry; but in the daytime Sydney shed few tears. She was very quiet and wistful-eyed, but trustful of father’s judgment, only growing a little more silent as the days went on.

There came a letter from Lady Frederica Verney, Lord St. Quentin’s aunt, beginning, “Dear Miss Lisle,” which opening was in itself[29] a shock, and asking Sydney if she would be ready to come to Castle St. Quentin on Tuesday next, under the escort of Mr. Fenton. A maid, whom Lady Frederica had engaged to wait upon her, would come up to town the day before, spend the night at an hotel, and meet Sydney at Waterloo in time for the two o’clock train down to Blankshire.

[29]

Nobody in the Chichester household could quite see what use the maid could be to Sydney on the journey; but, by mother’s orders, she wrote a little note to Lady Frederica, thanking her for taking so much trouble, and saying that she would be ready to go with Mr. Fenton on the day and by the train suggested.

The first copy of that note had two blots upon it, and Sydney had to write it again. Poor little heiress! she quite longed to hear Mildred say, “How careless!” and “When will you grow up, Sydney!” But there were no scoldings now, only a great tenderness from one and all.

Then there was packing to be done, and great discussions whether the frocks which were to have been “let down” next month when Sydney’s hair went up, should be altered now. Would Lady Frederica expect to see[30] Miss Lisle in quite grown-up array, or would skirts to her ankles pass muster?

[30]

Sydney took very little interest in the discussion, only, when pressed, gave 

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