‘When he brought down the golden stoppers,’ Jasper could not help saying.

’No, no, you naughty boy!  He would not have dared to bring it in before; he came before luncheon—–­all that came after.  Oh, my dear, that dressing-case is perfectly awful!  I wouldn’t have such a burthen on my mind—–­for—–­for all the orphans in London!  I hope there are no banditti at Rocca Marina.’

‘Only accepted to-day!  How did he get all his great A’s engraved?’ said Jasper practically.

‘He could not have had many doubts,’ said Gillian.  ’Does Kalliope know?’

‘I cannot tell; I think he has probably told her.’

‘He must have met Primrose there,’ said Jasper.  ‘Poor Prim!’ And the offence and the Pig-my-lion story were duly related, much to Aunt Jane’s amusement.

‘But,’ she said, ’I think that the soul in the marble man is very real, and very warm; and, dear children, don’t get into the habit of contemning him.  Laugh, I suppose you must; I am afraid it must look ridiculous at our age; but please don’t despise.  I am going down to your mother.

’May I come with you! said Gillian.  ’I don’t think I can go to Kally till I have digested this a little; and, if you are going to mamma, she won’t drive her out.’

Jane was much gratified by this volunteer, though Jasper did suggest that Gill was afraid of Primrose’s treatment.  He went on with the other three to Clipston, while Gillian exclaimed—–­

‘Oh, Aunt Jane, shall not you be very lonely?’

‘Not nearly so much so as if you were not all here,’ said her aunt cheerfully.  ’When you bemoaned your sisters last year we did not think the same thing was coming on me.’

‘Phyllis and Alethea!  It was a very different thing,’ said Gillian.  ’Besides, though I hated it so much, I had got used to being without them.’

’And to tell you the truth, Gill, nothing in that way ever was so bad to me as your own mother going and marrying; and now, you see, I have got her back again—–­and more too.’

Aunt Jane’s smile and softened eyes told that the young niece was included in the ‘more too’; and Gillian felt a thrill of pleasure and affection in this proof that after all she was something to the aunt, towards whom her feelings had so entirely changed.  She proceeded, however, to ask with considerable anxiety what would be done about the Whites, Kalliope especially; and in return she was told about the present plan of Kalliope’s being taken to Italy to recover first, and then to pursue her studies at Florence, so as to return to her work more capable, and in a higher position.

‘Oh, how exquisite!’ cried Gillian.  ‘But how about all the others?’

’The very thing I want to see about, and talk over with your mother.  I am sure she ought to go; and it will not even be wasting time, for she cannot earn anything.’

Talking over things with Lady Merrifield was, however, impeded, for, behold, there was a visitor in the drawing-room.  Aunt and niece exchanged glances of consternation as they detected a stranger’s voice through the open window, and Gillian uttered a vituperative whisper.