CHAPTER V.



The morning of the twenty-eighth of August was as fine as heart could
wish, and the three sisters rose almost as soon as it was light, to
fulfil their promise of attending to all the small nondescript
matters of arrangement, needful when a large party is expected by a
family not much in the habit of receiving company. Katherine, who
had quite given up all thoughts of equalling her elder sister in
talent, and who prided herself on being the useful member of the
family, made herself very busy in the store-room; Helen, arranged the
fruit with much taste; and Elizabeth was up-stairs and down, here,
there, and everywhere, till it was difficult to find anything which
she had not rectified by labour of head or hand.

'Well,' said she, as she brought Helen a fresh supply of vine leaves
from the garden, 'I wonder whether Rupert will come in time. I shall
be very sorry if he does not, for he has done a great deal for the
church.'

'Has he indeed?' said Helen, with an air that expressed, 'I should
not have thought it.'

'O Helen, how can you take so little interest in the church?' said
Elizabeth; 'do not you remember how much trouble Rupert took to find
a pattern for the kneeling-stools, and what a beautiful drawing he
sent of those at Magdalen Collegia Chapel? I am sure he would be
very much vexed to miss the Consecration.'