"Does she? I should very much like to go."

Lady Augusta came in and proffered the invitation to Constance to
accompany them. Constance then spoke of giving the children the extra
two hours, from seven to nine: it was really necessary, she said, if
she was to do her duty by them.

"How very conscientious you are!" laughed Lady Augusta, her tone
savouring of ridicule.

Constance coloured almost to tears with her emotion. "I am responsible
to One always, Lady Augusta. I may not make mine only eye-service."

"You will never put up with our scrambling breakfast, Miss Channing.
The boys are so unruly; and I do not get up to it half my time."

"I will return home to breakfast. I should prefer to do so. And I will
be here again at ten."

"Whatever time do you get up?"

"Not very early," answered Constance. "Hitherto I have risen at seven,
summer and winter. Dressing and reading takes me just an hour; for the
other hour I find plenty of occupation. We do not breakfast until nine,
on account of Tom and Charley. I shall rise at six now, and come here
at seven."

"Very well," said Lady Augusta. "I suppose this will only apply to the
summer months. One of the girls shall go with us to-day; whichever