change of expression. The sisters, remembering how she had come
in upon them with that look of one 'lifted up,' understood why she
had not noticed, and refrained from further questions.

'Well, it is to be hoped the young man is recovered enough to stand
Long Whindale festivities,' said Rose. 'Mrs. Thornburgh means to
let them loose on his devoted head to-morrow night.'

'Who are coming?' asked Mrs. Leyburn eagerly. The occasional tea
parties of the neighborhood were an unfailing excitement to her,
simply because, by dint of the small adornings, natural to the
occasion, they showed her daughters to her under slightly new
aspects. To see Catherine, who never took any thought for her
appearance, forced to submit to a white dress, a line of pearls
round the shapely throat, a flower in the brown hair, put there by
Rose's imperious fingers; to sit in a corner well out of draughts,
watching the effect of Rose's half-fledged beauty, and drinking in
the compliments of the neighborhood on Rose's playing or Agnes's
conversation, or Catherine's practical ability--these were Mrs.
Leyburn's passions, and a tea-party always gratified them to the
full.

'Mamma asks as if really she wanted an answer,' remarked Agnes
dryly. 'Dear mother, can't you by now make up a tea-party at the
Thornburghs out of your bead?'

'The Seatons?' inquired Mrs. Leyburn.

'_Mrs._ Seaton and Miss Barks,' replied Rose. 'The rector won't
come. And I needn't say that, having moved heaven, and earth to