"I have asked and asked Papa to take us all to London for a Season," the countess assured her daughters, "or to Harrogate at the very least. But he cannot take his horses and his dogs to London, you see, and you all know that hunting is the breath of life to your father."

"Mr. Mainwaring really is coming this afternoon, Mama, is he not?" Melissa asked anxiously. "Papa was quite definite about it?"

"Oh, yes," her mother said. "He has been in residence at Graystone for several days, you know, and has been called upon by most of our neighbors. Papa was the first to call, of course. It is time Mr. Mainwaring returned the calls, and he did assure Papa that he would wait upon us this afternoon. I really am most anxious to make his acquaintance, though I feel quite vexed that he has waited all these years to visit his property. We see little enough of good company as it is without a perfectly good estate remaining unoccupied by its master for several years."

"Perhaps it will give a more superior tone to the neighborhood to have Mr. Mainwaring among us," Emily said, "though he would sound a great deal more distinguished if he had a title."

"Pooh," her sister said, "a title is not important, Emmy. He is of impeccable lineage, Papa says."

"Anyway," the countess said decisively, "I want you all to look your best this afternoon. You are all remarkably fine girls, even if I do say so myself, and surely Mr. Mainwaring must show interest in one of you. Your new dress looks quite elegant, Melissa, now that the bow has been straightened. And your hair looks most becoming, Emily. You have had Matty dress it in a new style?"

"I consider it looks less frivolous than the old style," said Emily, turning her head first one way and then the other so that her mother could see the total effect. "After all, I am three-and-twenty already. Will it do for our visitor, do you think, Mama?"