Catherine might with advantage be a shade less beautiful, but Mabel will, I am convinced, fulfil all my expectations.

Then, if only Loftie," but here Mrs.Bertram sighed.

She was returning from her visit to Mrs.Meadowsweet, walking slowly down the long avenue which led to the Manor.

This avenue was kept in no order; its edges were not neatly cut, and weeds appeared here and there through its scantily gravelled roadway.

The grass parterre round the house, however, was smooth as velvet, and interspersed with gay flower-beds.