"I won't forget," replied Devitt dryly.

"Tell her to come for as long as she cares to, as the mater and
Celia were always fond of her. None of us could ever make out what
became of her."

"I won't forget," said Devitt again.

"Thanks. Good-bye."

Montague told his wife of this; she had replied:

"We will decide nothing till we see her," which meant that, if Mavis
had not fulfilled the promise of her childhood, and had grown up
plain, there would be some prospect of her being engaged in some
capacity in the Devitt family, as her acquaintance with the big
people about Melkbridge might result in introducing Victoria within
the charmed circle, without prejudicing the latter's chances of
making a brilliant match. Mrs Devitt's words likewise meant that, if
Mavis were charming or pretty, her prospects of securing an
engagement would be of the slenderest.

Mavis, ignorant of these considerations, was driven to the door of
Melkbridge House. On getting out of the cart, the front door was
opened by Hayter, the fat butler, who showed her into the drawing-
room. Left to herself, Mavis looked about the expensively furnished
room. Noticing a mirror, she walked to it in order to see if hair or
hat had been disarranged by her journey and drive; as she looked at
her comely reflection, she could not help seeing with a thrill of