Jill’s eloquence did not surprise me.  I knew she was very clever, and full of unfledged poetry, and I had often heard her talk in that way; but I had no time to answer her, for just then the first gong sounded, and I could hear Sara running up to her room to dress for dinner.  Jill jumped up, and tugged at the bell-rope rather fiercely.

’Martha must have forgotten all about the tea-things; very likely the lamp is smoky and will have to be trimmed.  I must not come and help you, Ursie dear, for I have to learn my German poetry before I dress.’  And Jill pulled down the blinds and drew the curtains with a vigorous hand.  Martha looked quite frightened at the sight of Jill’s energy and her own remissness.

‘Why did you not ring before, Miss Jocelyn?’ she said, plaintively, and in rather an injured voice, as she carried away the tea-tray.

Uncle Max passed me in the passage; Clarence was following with his portmanteau; he looked surprised to see me still in my bonnet with my fur cape trailing over one arm; but I nodded to him cheerfully and went quickly into my room.

My life at St. Thomas’s had inured me to hardness; it had contrasted strangely with my luxurious surroundings at Hyde Park Gate.  Aunt Philippa certainly treated me well in her way.  I had a full share of the loaves and the fishes of the household; my room was as prettily furnished as Jill’s; a bright fire burnt in the grate; there were pink candles on the dressing-table.  Martha, who waited upon us both, had put out my black evening dress on the bed, and had warmed my dressing-gown; she would come to me by and by with a civil offer of help.

I was rather puzzled at the sight of a little breast-knot of white chrysanthemums that lay on the table, until I remembered Uncle Max; no one had ever brought me flowers since Charlie’s death; he had gathered the last that I ever wore—­some white violets that grew in a little hollow in the ground of Rutherford Lodge.  I hesitated painfully before I pinned the modest little bouquet in my black dress, but I feared Uncle Max would be hurt if I failed to appear in it.  I wore mother’s pearl necklace as usual, and the little locket with her hair; somehow I took more pleasure in dressing myself this evening, when I knew Uncle Max’s kind eyes would be on me.

I had not hurried myself, and the second gong sounded before I reached the drawing-room, so I came face to face with Lesbia, who was coming out on Uncle Brian’s arm.  She kissed me in her quiet way, and said, ’How do you do, Ursula?’ just as though we had met yesterday, and passed on.

I thought she looked prettier than ever that evening—­like a snow princess, in her white gown, with a little fleecy shawl drawn round her shoulders, for she took cold easily.  She had a soft creamy complexion, and fair hair that she wore piled up in smooth plaits on her head; she had plaintive blue eyes that could be brilliant at times, and a lovely mouth, and she was tall and graceful like Sara.