Only a week had elapsed before the quiet of Bowstead was again disturbed by the arrival of two grooms, with orders that everything should be made ready the next day for the arrival of my Lady, who was on her way to Carminster for a few weeks, and afterwards to Bath.  Forthwith Mrs. Aylward and her subordinates fell into a frenzy of opening shutters, lighting fires, laying down carpets and uncovering furniture.  Scrubbing was the daily task for the maids, and there was nothing extra possible in that line, but there was hurry enough to exacerbate the temper, and when Aurelia offered her services she was tartly told that she could solely be useful by keeping the children out of the way; for in spite of all rebuffs, they persisted in haunting the footsteps of the housekeeper and maids, Fay gazing with delight at the splendours that were revealed, Amy proffering undesired aid, Letty dancing in the most inconvenient places, romancing about her mamma and little brother, and making sure that her big beautiful brother was also coming.

The were very unwilling to let Aurelia call them away to practise them in bridling, curtseying, and saying “Yes, madam,” according to the laws of good breeding so carefully inculcated by sister at home.  So anxious was she that she tried them over and over again till they were wearied out, and became so cross and naughty that nothing restored good-homour except gathering blackberries to feast brother Archer.

The intelligence produced less apparent excitement in the dark chamber.  When Aurelia, in an eager, awe-stricken voice began, “O sir, have you heard that my Lady is coming?” he calmly replied,

“The sounds in the house have amply heralded her, to say nothing of Jumbo.”

“I wonder what she will do!”

“You will not long have known her, my fair friend, without discovering that she is one of the most inscrutable of her sex.  The mere endeavour to guess at her plans only produces harassing surmises and alarms.”

“Do you think, sir, she can mean to take me away?”

“I suppose that would be emancipation to you, my poor child.”

“I should dance to find myself going home,” said Aurelia, “yet how could I bear to leave my little girls, or you, sir.  Oh! if you could only live at the Great House, at home, I should be quite happy.”

“Then you would not willingly abandon the recluse?”

“Indeed,” she said with a quivering in her voice, “I cannot endure the notion.  You have been so kind and good to me, sir, and I do so enjoy coming to you.  And you would be all alone again with Jumbo!  Oh sir, could you not drive down if all the coach windows were close shut up?  You would have my papa to talk to!”

“And what would your papa say to having a miserable old hermit inflicted on him?”

“He would be only too glad.”