It was here the elite of the pleasure-seekers evidently meant to congregate, and as Mrs. Bell intended, on this occasion at least, to join herself to the select few, her object was to get on the terrace.  She had not at first, however, the courage to mount those five sacred steps uninvited.  The battery of eyes which would be immediately turned upon her would be greater than even her high spirit could support.  Mr. Ingram had already spoken to her, she did not know Mrs. Bertram, although she felt that if Catherine or Mabel were near she might call to one of them, and make herself known as Matty’s mother.

Catherine and Mabel were, however, several fields away engaged in a vigorous game of archery.  Mrs. Bell raised her fat face, and surveyed the potentates of the terrace with anxiety.

“Keep close to me, Matty,” she said to her eldest daughter.  “Don’t go putting yourself in the background.  It isn’t becoming, seeing what will be expected of you by-and-by.  Now I wonder where the captain is!  Mr. Ingram is sure to make a fuss about those Bertrams, and that young man will be expected to be at the beck and call of everybody all day long.  But never you mind, Matty, my pet.  He shall have his chances, or my name is not Tilly Bell.”

“I wish ma wouldn’t,” whispered Sophy to Alice.  “I don’t believe Captain Bertram cares a bit for Matty.  Now, what are we all going to do!  Oh, dear, I quite shake in my shoes.  Ma is awfully venturesome, and I know we will be snubbed.”

“Come on, girls,” said Mrs. Bell looking over her shoulder.  “What are you loitering for?  I see Mrs. Gorman Stanley at the back there, by one of the big refreshment booths.  I’m going to make for her.”

“Oh, ma, she doesn’t care a bit for us.”

“Never mind, she’ll do as an excuse.  Now let’s all keep close together.”

Amongst the select company on the terrace Mrs. Bertram of course found a foremost place.  She was seated next to Lady Verney, whose daughter, the Lady Georgiana Higginbotham also stood near, languidly pulling a splendid gloire de Dijon rose to pieces.  She was a tall, sallow-faced girl, with the true aristocratic expression of “I-won’t-tell-you-anything-at-all” stamped on her face.  She was to be married the following week, and had all the airs of a bride-elect.

This young lady raised her pince nez to watch the Bells as they ascended the steps.

“Who are those extraordinary people?” she whispered to her mother.

“I’m sure I don’t know, my dear.  How intolerably hot it is.  Really our good Rector ought not to ask us to submit to the fierce rays of the sun during this intense weather.  Georgiana, pray keep in the shade.  Yes, Mrs. Bertram, you must find the absence of all society a drawback here.”

“I sha’n’t stay here long,” responded Mrs. Bertram.  “Catherine is still so young that she does not want society.  Ah, there is Loftus.  I should like to introduce him.  Loftus, come here.”