CHAPTER VIII.
Mrs.Boyce wrote her note to Miss Raeburn, a note containing cold though civil excuses as to herself, while accepting the invitation for Marcella, who should be sent to the Court, either in the carriage or under the escort of a maid who could bring her back.

Marcella found her mother inclined to insist punctiliously on conventions of this kind.

It amused her, in submitting to them, to remember the free and easy ways of her London life.

But she submitted--and not unwillingly.
On the afternoon of the day which intervened between the Maxwells' call and her introduction to the Court, Marcella walked as usual down to the village.

She was teeming with plans for her new kingdom, and could not keep herself out of it.