"Don't you like dogs?"

"In their proper place. Jill wouldn't be allowed in at all if Harold
didn't sometimes wish it."

"If I had a house, it should be full of dogs," remarked Mavis.

"I understand that you were born near here."

"Yes, at Melkbridge Court."

"I don't know what time you go back, but, after luncheon--of course
you'll stay--you might take the opportunity of your being down here
to have a look at the old place."

"I--I might," faltered Mavis, who suddenly felt as if all the
happiness had been taken out of her life; for Miss Devitt's words
hinted that her family was not going to keep Mavis at Melkbridge
House.

She looked regretfully at the dog, then inquiringly at Victoria,
when Mrs Devitt came into the drawing-room.

Her eyes at once fell on Mavis's comeliness; looking at her step-
daughter, she found herself comparing the appearance of the two
girls. Before she had offered her hand to Mavis, she had decided
that, beside her, Victoria appeared at a disadvantage.

Although Mavis's hair and colouring might only appeal to a certain