The Aunt Dora of whom Mr.Denyer had spoken was his own sister, the wife of a hotel-keeper at Southampton.

Some seven years ago, in a crisis of the Denyers' fate, she had hospitably housed them for several months, and was now willing to do as much again, notwithstanding the arrogance with which Mrs.Denyer had repaid her.

To the girls it had formerly mattered little where they lived; at their present age, it was far otherwise.
The hotel was of a very modest description; society would become out of the question in such a retreat.

Madeline and Zillah might choose, as the less of two evils, the lot for which they declared themselves ready; but Barbara had no notion of turning governess.

She shortly went to her bedroom, and spent a very black hour indeed.
They were to start to-morrow morning.