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it; they seemed somewhat afraid of the young lady from the
other side of the world and rather looked than spoke their
good wishes. But they made it clear to her that they hoped
she would come to luncheon at Lockleigh, where they lived
with their brother, and then they might see her very, very
often. They wondered if she wouldn’t come over some day
and sleep: they were expecting some people on the twen-
ty-ninth, so perhaps she would come while the people were
there.
‘I’m afraid it isn’t any one very remarkable,’ said the elder
sister; ‘but I dare say you’ll take us as you find us.’
‘I shall find you delightful; I think you’re enchanting just
as you are,’ replied Isabel, who often praised profusely.
Her visitors flushed, and her cousin told her, after they
were gone, that if she said such things to those poor girls
they would think she was in some wild, free manner prac-
tising on them: he was sure it was the first time they had
been called enchanting.
‘I can’t help it,’ Isabel answered. ‘I think it’s lovely to be
so quiet and reasonable and satisfied. I should like to be like
that.’
‘Heaven forbid!’ cried Ralph with ardour.
‘I mean to try and imitate them,’ said Isabel. ‘I want very
much to see them at home.’
She had this pleasure a few days later, when, with Ralph
and his mother, she drove over to Lockleigh. She found the
Misses Molyneux sitting in a vast drawing-room (she per-
ceived afterwards it was one of several) in a wilderness of
faded chintz; they were dressed on this occasion in black

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