When we were ready I put Buttercup on a leading rein and took her with Alvean on her back into the paddock.

For nearly an hour we were there and when we left it I knew that Alvean and I had entered into a new relationship. She had not accepted me completely that would have been asking too much but I did believe that from that afternoon she knew that I was not an enemy.

I concentrated on giving her confidence. I made her grow accustomed to sitting her horse, to talking to her horse. I made her lean back full length on Buttercup’s back and look up at the sky; then I made her shut her eyes. I gave her lessons in mounting and dismounting.

Buttercup did no more than walk round that field, but I do believe that at the end of the hour I had done a great deal towards making Alvean lose her fear; and that was what I had determined should be the first lesson. I was astonished to find that it was half past three, and I think Alvean was too.

” We must return to the house at once,” I said, ” if we are to change in time for tea.” As we came out of the field a figure rose from the grass and I saw to my surprise that it was Peter Nansellock. He clapped his hands as we came along. ” Here endeth the first lesson,” he cried, ” and an excellent one. I did not know,” he went on, turning to me, ” that equestrian skill was included in your many accomplishments.”

” Were you watching us, Unde Peter?” demanded Alvean. ” For the last half hour. My admiration for you both is beyond expression.”

Alvean smiled slowly. ” Did you really admire us?”

” Much as I could be tempted to compliment two beautiful ladies,” he said placing his hand on his heart and bowing elegantly, ” I could never tell a lie.”

” Until this moment,” I said tartly. Alvean’s face fell and I added: ” There is nothing very admirable in learning to ride. Thousands are doing it every day.”

” But the art was never so gracefully taught, never so patiently learned.”

” Your unde is a Joker, Alvean,” I put in.

” Yes,” said Alvean almost sadly, ” I know.”

” And,” I added, ” it is time that we returned for tea.”

” I wonder if I might be invited to schoolroom tea?”

” You are calling to see Mr. TreMellyn?” I asked.

” I am calling to take tea with you two ladies.”

Alvean laughed suddenly; I could see that she was not unaffected by what I supposed was the charm of this man. ” Mr. Tremellyn left Mount Mellyn early this afternoon,” I said. ” I have no idea whether or not he has returned. “

” And while the cat’s away …” he murmured, and his eyes swept over my costume in a manner which I could only describe as insolent.

I said coolly: ” Come along, Alvean, we must go at once if we are to be in time for tea.”

I let the horse break into a trot, and holding Buttercup’s leading rein, started towards the house.

Peter Nansellock walked behind us, and when we reached the stables I saw him making for the house.

Alvean and I dismounted, handed our horses to two of the stable boys, and hurried up to our rooms.

I got out of the riding habit and into my dress and, glancing at myself, I thought how drab I looked in my grey cotton. I made a gesture of impatience at my folly and picked up the riding habit to hang in my cupboard, deciding that I would take the first opportunity of asking Mrs. Polgrey if it was in order for me to use it. I was afraid I had acted on impulse by doing so this afternoon, but I had been stung into prompt action, I realised, by the attitude of Connan TreMellyn.

As I lifted the habit I saw the name on the waist band. It gave me a little start, as I suppose everything in that connection would do for some time. ” Alice TreMellyn ” was embossed in neat and tiny letters on the black satin facings.

Then I understood. That room had been her dressing room; the bedroom I had glimpsed, her bedroom. I wondered that Alvean had taken me there and given me her mother’s clothes.

My heart felt as though it were leaping into my throat. This, I said to myself, is absurd. Where else could we have found a modern riding habit? Not in those chests in the attics she had spoken of; the clothes in those were used for charades.

I was being ridiculous. Why should I not wear Alice’s riding habit?

She had no need for it now. And was I not accustomed to wearing cast-off clothes?

Boldly I picked up the riding dress and hung it in my cupboard.

I was impelled to go to my window and looked along the line of windows, trying to place that one which would have been that of her bedroom. I thought I placed it.

In spite of myself I shivered. Then I shook myself. She would be glad I used her habit, I told myself. Of course she would be glad. Am I not trying to help her daughter?

I realised that I was reassuring myself—which was ridiculous.

What had happened to my commonsense? Whatever I told myself I could not hide the fact that I wished the dress had belonged to anyone but Alice.

When I had changed there was a knock on my door and I was relieved to see Mrs. Polgrey standing there.

” Do come in,” I said. ” You are just the lady I wished to see.”

She came into my room, and I was very fond of her in that moment.

There was an air of normality about her such as must inevitably put fancy to flight.

” I have been giving Miss Alvean a riding lesson,” I said quickly, for I was anxious to have this matter of the dress settled before she could tell me why she had come. ” And as I had no riding habit with me she found one for me. I believe it to have been her mother’s.” I went to my wardrobe and produced it.

Mrs. Polgrey nodded.

” I wore it this once. Perhaps it was wrong of me.”

” Did you have the Master’s permission to give her this riding lesson?”

” Oh yes, indeed. I made sure of that.”

” Then there is nothing to worry about. He would have no objection to your wearing the dress. I can see no reason why you should not keep it in your room, providing of course you only wear it when giving Miss Alvean her riding lesson.”

” Thank you,” I said. ” You have set my mind at rest.”

Mrs. Polgrey bowed her head in approval. I could see that she was rather pleased that I had brought my little problem to her.

” Mr. Peter Nansellock is downstairs,” she said.

” Yes, we saw him as we came in.”

” The Master is not at home. And Mr. Peter has asked that you entertain him for tea—you and Miss Alvean.”

” Oh, but should we…. I mean should I?”

” Well, yes. Miss, I think it would be in order. I think that is what the Master would wish, particularly as Mr. Peter suggests it.

Miss Jansen, during the time she was here, often helped to entertain.

Why, there was an occasion I remember, when she was invited to the dinner table. “

” Oh!” I said, hoping I sounded duly impressed.

” You see. Miss, having no mistress in the house, makes it a little difficult at times; and when a gentleman expressly asks for your company—well, I really don’t see what harm there could be in it. I have told Mr. Nansellock that tea will be served in the punch room and that I am sure you will be ready to join him and Miss Alvean. You have no objection?”

” No, no. I have no objection.”

Mrs. Polgrey smiled graciously. ” Then will you come down?”

” Yes, I will.”

She sailed out as majestically as she had arrived; and I found myself smiling not without a little complacence. It was turning out to be a most enjoyable day.

When I reached the punch room, Alvean was not there, but Peter Nansellock was sprawling in one of the tapestry-covered chairs.

He leaped to his feet on my entrance.

” But this is delightful.”

” Mrs. Polgrey has told me that I am to do the honours in the absence of Mr. TreMellyn.”

“How like you, to remind me that you are merely the governess!”

” I felt,” I replied, ” that it was necessary to do so, since you may have forgotten.”

” You are such a charming hostess! And indeed I never saw you look less like a governess than when you were giving Alvean her lesson.”

” It was my riding habit. Borrowed plumes. A pheasant would look like a peacock, if it could acquire the tail.”

” My dear Miss Pheasant, I do not agree. Manners ma kyth the man’—or woman—not fine feathers. But let me ask you this before our little Alvean appears. What do you think of this place? You are going to stay with us?”

” It is really more a question of how this place likes me, and whether the powers that be decide to keep me.”

” Ah the powers that be in this case are a little unaccountable, are they not? What do you think of old Connan?”

” The adjective you use is inaccurate, and it is not my place to give an opinion.”

He laughed aloud showing white and perfect teeth. ” Dear Governess,” he said, ” you’ll be the death of me.”

” I’m sorry to hear it.”

” Though,” he went on, ” I have often thought that to die of laughing must be a very pleasant way to do so.”

This banter was interrupted by the appearance of Alvean.

” Ah, the little lady herself!” cried Peter. ” Dear Alvean, how good it is of you and Miss Leigh to allow me to take tea with you.”

” I wonder why you want to,” replied Alvean. ” You never have before . except when Miss Jansen was here.”

” Hush, hush! You betray me,” he murmured.

Mrs. Polgrey came in with Kitty. The latter set the tray on a table, while Mrs. Polgrey lighted the spirit lamp. I saw that a canister of tea was on the tray. Kitty laid a doth on a small table and brought in cakes and cucumber sandwiches.