and her dark eyes brightened by pleasurable excitement; she carried her hat in her hand, and seemed to have been walking bare-headed, for there were signs of wind-play in her abundant black hair.  But neither face nor attire suggested rusticity:  the former was handsome, spirited, with a hint of uncommon things in its changeful radiance; the latter was the result of perfect taste choosing at will among the season’s costumes.  At her throat were fastened two blossoms of wild rose, with the dew still on them, and the hand which held her lace-trimmed sunshade carried also a spray of meadow-sweet.

Mr. Athel, looking up from the end of the table, was the first to perceive her.

‘Guardami ben:  ben son, ben son Beatrice!’ he exclaimed, rising and moving from his place.  ‘But how in the world has she got here?’

‘Beatrice!’ cried Mrs. Rossall, following the general direction of eyes.  ‘Here already!  But you surely haven’t come from town this morning?’

‘But indeed I have,’ was the reply, in a joyous voice, whose full, rich quality took the ear captive.  ’Will you let me sit down just as I am?  Patty, here’s a rose for you, and, Minnie, another for you.’  She took them from her dress.  ‘How do you do, Mr. Wilfrid?’

The governess was mentioned to her by name; Beatrice looked at her steadfastly for a moment.

‘But how have you got here?’ inquired Mrs. Rossall.  ’You must have left London at an unheard-of hour; and how have yen come from Dealing?’

‘Clearly she has walked,’ said Mr. Athel.  ’Don’t you see the spoils of her progress?’

‘Oh yes, I have walked,’ replied the girl.  ’I suppose I’m in a dreadful state towards the end I almost ran.  I was so afraid lest I should miss breakfast, and you can’t imagine how hungry I am.  Is that oatmeal porridge you are eating, Mr. Wilfrid?  Oh, do let me have some; how delicious it will be!’

‘Nonsense, Beatrice,’ interposed Mrs. Rossall.  ’Let Mr. Athel give you some of that pate, or will you have—­’

‘I’ve been a vegetarian for a month,’ was the reply.

‘You don’t mean it?’

’Most strictly.  No—­eggs are not permitted; only the feebler school allows them.  You can’t think how much better I have been in body and mind since I adopted the new diet.’

‘But Whatever train did you start by?’ pressed Mrs. Rossall.

’Half-past six.  I never can sleep these short summer nights.  I was up about five o’clock, and just as I was going to read I saw the railway time-table.  I looked for the first train and determined to come by it.  I wrote a short note to let mother know what had become of me, then in a minute or two I got my things packed, and last of all stole out of the house to find a cab.  Luckily, a policeman was just passing the door; he found one for me in no time.  Not a soul was up, so I dragged the trunk out on to the landing, and then made the cabman creep upstairs like a, burglar to fetch it.  Of course he thought I was running away; he enjoyed the joke wonderfully; you should have seen his smile when I paid him at the station.  Perhaps you’ll let them fetch my luggage before lunch?’