Now that those young men were at the Great House it was natural that her girls should be there too.

The squire would not have had young men to stay with him had there been no ladies to grace his table.

But for her,--she knew that no one would want her there.

Now and again she must go, as otherwise her very existence, without going, would be a thing disagreeably noticeable.

But there was no other reason why she should join the party; nor in joining it would she either give or receive pleasure.