THE SEARCH FOR ARMS When the hour of luncheon came, and no guests made their appearance, the young girls at the castle began to discuss what they should best do.

'I know nothing of fine people and their ways,' said Kate--'you must take the whole direction here, Nina.' 'It is only a question of time, and a cold luncheon can wait without difficulty.' And so they waited till three, then till four, and now it was five o'clock; when Kate, who had been over the kitchen-garden, and the calves' paddock, and inspecting a small tract laid out for a nursery, came back to the house very tired, and, as she said, also very hungry.

'You know, Nina,' said she, entering the room, 'I ordered no dinner to-day.

I speculated on our making our dinner when your friends lunched; and as they have not lunched, we have not dined; and I vote we sit down now.

I'm afraid I shall not be as pleasant company as that Mr .-- do tell me his name--Walpole--but I pledge myself to have as good a appetite.' Nina made no answer.