Emily Fox-Seton’s pleasure had not abated, but her colour had done so.  Her limbs ached and her still-smiling face was pale, as she stood under the beech-tree regarding the final ceremonies of the festal day, to preside over which Lady Maria and her party returned from their seats under the ilex-trees.  The National Anthem was sung loudly, and there were three tremendous cheers given for her ladyship.  They were such joyous and hearty cheers that Emily was stirred almost to emotional tears.  At all events, her hazel eyes looked nice and moistly bright.  She was an easily moved creature.

Lord Walderhurst stood near Lady Maria and looked pleased also.  Emily saw him speak to her ladyship and saw Lady Maria smile.  Then he stepped forward, with his non-committal air and his monocle glaring calmly in his eye.

“Boys and girls,” he said in a clear, far-reaching voice, “I want you to give three of the biggest cheers you are capable of for the lady who has worked to make your treat the success it has been.  Her ladyship tells me she has never had such a treat before.  Three cheers for Miss Fox-Seton.”

Emily gave a gasp and felt a lump rise in her throat.  She felt as if she had been without warning suddenly changed into a royal personage, and she scarcely knew what to do.

The whole treat, juvenile and adult, male and female, burst into three cheers which were roars and bellows.  Hats and caps were waved and tossed into the air, and every creature turned toward her as she blushed and bowed in tremulous gratitude and delight.

“Oh, Lady Maria! oh, Lord Walderhurst!” she said, when she managed to get to them, “how kind you are to me!”

Chapter Five

After she had taken her early tea in the morning, Emily Fox-Seton lay upon her pillows and gazed out upon the tree-branches near her window, in a state of bliss.  She was tired, but happy.  How well everything had “gone off”!  How pleased Lady Maria had been, and how kind of Lord Walderhurst to ask the villagers to give three cheers for herself!  She had never dreamed of such a thing.  It was the kind of attention not usually offered to her.  She smiled her childlike smile and blushed at the memory of it.  Her impression of the world was that people were really very amiable, as a rule.  They were always good to her, at least, she thought, and it did not occur to her that if she had not paid her way so remarkably well by being useful they might have been less agreeable.  Never once had she doubted that Lady Maria was the most admirable and generous of human beings.  She was not aware in the least that her ladyship got a good deal out of her.  In justice to her ladyship, it may be said that she was not wholly aware of it herself, and that Emily absolutely enjoyed being made use of.