‘Now, I will not allow my darling to cry like that,’ exclaimed Mrs. Barton, and she threw her arms round the girl’s shoulders.  ’I didn’t say that there wouldn’t be a man within seven miles.  On the contrary, there will be one very charming man indeed.’

‘What do you mean, mamma?’

‘That’s a secret—­that’s a secret.’

Alice was told that she had better come home early that afternoon, so that she might have plenty of time to pack her own things and help her sister with hers; and it seemed to her unbelievable that she was at last leaving that hateful little varnished floor, complimenting old beaux and young A.D.C.’s.

But if to nobody else, she must say good-bye to May.  She had hardly seen her since the night of the State ball—­the night she had given Fred Scully permission to see her in her room.  She found her in the ladies’ drawing-room.

‘How do you do, May?’

’Oh, how do you do, Alice?  I am so glad to see you.  What a dreadful day!’

‘Yes, isn’t it?  Don’t you find it very depressing?’

’I should think I did.  I’m feeling rather out of sorts.  Do you ever feel out of sorts? you know, when everything seems as if it were reflected in a darkened glass?  There are times when we girls are nervous and weak, and ready to quarrel with anyone.  I don’t know what I wish for now; I think I should like to go back to the country.’

‘We are going back to-morrow morning.’

’You don’t say so; and how’s that?  There are plenty of balls and afternoon dances.  What does Olive say to going home?’

’She doesn’t mind.  You know mamma always said she would return immediately after the Castle balls.’

’And now that it is all over, tell me what you think of the Castle.  Did it come up to your expectations?’

’I don’t know that I think much about the matter.  I am not so fond of dancing as you are.’

‘Oh, goodness me, goodness me, how ill I do feel,’ said May, as she started and yawned in a way that betokened the nervous lassitude she was suffering from.

‘Perhaps you had better see the doctor,’ said Alice significantly.

‘I’m worried.  Fred hasn’t been as nice lately as he used to be.’

‘What has he done?’

’Last night he promised to meet me in the Square, and he wrote to say he couldn’t come, that he was forced to go and see an important customer about some horses.’

‘Perhaps he had.’

’I dare say he had, but what of that?  It does not make it any less disagreeable for me to be disappointed.’

’How cross you are, May!  I came out on purpose to talk to you on this very subject.  I hope you won’t be angry, but I think it is my duty to tell you that people are beginning to talk about you.’

‘And what do they say?’

’Well, they say many unpleasant things; you know how ill-natured people are.’

‘Yes, but what do they say?’