feels that he must stay with me. I dressed in haste, am I right,
little nurse?"

She gave him a comprehensive glance, daintily settled his cravat,
brushed back a truant lock, and, with a maternal air that was charming,
said, "My boy is always elegant, and I'm proud of him. Now we'll go in."
But with her hand on the curtain she paused, saying quickly, as a voice
reached her, "Who is that?"

"Frank Annon. Didn't you know he was coming?" Maurice eyed her keenly.

"No, Jasper never told me. Why did he ask him?"

"To please you."

"Me! When he knows I detest the man. No matter, I've got on the color he
hates, so he won't annoy me, and Mrs. Snowdon can amuse herself with
him. The general has come, you know?"

Treherne smiled, well pleased, for no sign of maiden shame or pleasure
did the girl's face betray, and as he watched her while she peeped, he
thought with satisfaction, Annon is right, _I_ have the advantage,
and I'll keep it at all costs.

"Here is Mamma. We must go in," said Octavia, as a stately old lady made
her appearance in the drawing room.

The cousins entered together and Annon watched them covertly, while
seemingly intent on paying his respects to Madame Mere, as his hostess
was called by her family.