Mrs. Bertram considered she had taken a wise step, and she told the
girls so frankly. Their house in Kensington was small and expensive. In
the country they had secured a delightful old Manor--Rosendale Manor was
its pretty name--for a small rent.

Mrs. Bertram found herself comparatively rich in the country, and she
cheered the girls by telling them that if they would study economical
habits, and try to do with very little dress for the present, she would
save some money year by year, so that by the time Catherine was twenty
they might have the advantage of a couple of seasons in town.

"Catherine will look very young at twenty," remarked the mother.
"By that time I shall have saved quite a fair sum out of my income.
Catherine looked younger at twenty than Mabel at eighteen. They can both
come out together, and have their chances like other girls."

Catherine did not want to wait for the dear delights of society until
she had reached so mature an age. But there was no murmuring against her
mother's decree, and as she was a healthy-minded, handsome, good-humored
girl, she soon accommodated herself to the ways and manners of country
folk, and was happy enough.

"I shall live on five hundred a year at Rosen dale Manor," determined
Mrs. Bertram. "And I have made up my mind that Loftie shall not cost me
more than three. Thus I shall save four hundred a year. Catherine is
only seventeen now. By the time she is twenty I shall have a trifle over
and above my income to fall back upon. Twelve hundred pounds is a
bagatelle with most people, but I feel I shall effect wonders with it.
Catherine and Mabel will be out of the common, very out of the common.
Unique people have an advantage over those who resemble the herd.