that she should like to do so. It was the pride of Mary's life that
she had been befriended by the Mortons and Lady Ushant. But it did
not occur to him that he ought to be jealous of Mr. Morton,--though
it had occurred to Kate Masters.

There was very little said between the sisters on their way back to
the town. Mary was pretty sure now that the two girls had made the
appointment with Larry, but she was unwilling to question them on
the subject. Immediately on their arrival at home they heard the
great news. John Morton was coming to Bragton with a party of
ladies and gentlemen. Mrs. Hopkins had spoken of four persons. Mrs.
Masters told Mary that there were to be a dozen at least, and that
four or five pairs of horses and half a dozen carriages had been
ordered from Mr. Runciman. "He means to cut a dash when he does
begin," said Mrs. Masters.

"Is he going to stay, mother?"

"He wouldn't come down in that way if it was only for a few days I
suppose. But what they will do for furniture I don't know."

"There's plenty of furniture, mother."

"A thousand years old. Or for wine, or fruit, or plate."

"The old plate was there when Lady Ushant left."

"People do things now in a very different way from what they used.
A couple of dozen silver forks made quite a show on the old
squire's table. Now they change the things so often that ten dozen