_They_ were to keep up the gardens, you know--and now they practically leave it to me--which isn't fair." Mrs.Roughsedge secretly wondered whether this statement was meant to account for the frequent presence of Oliver Marsham at Beechcote.

She had herself met him in the lane riding away from Beechcote no less than three times during the past fortnight.
"Please come in to tea!" said Diana; "I am just expecting my cousin--Miss Merton.

Mrs.Colwood and I are so excited!--we have never had a visitor here before.

I came out to try and find some snow-drops for her room.

There is really nothing in the greenhouses--and I can't make the house look nice." Certainly as they entered and passed through the panelled hall to the drawing-room Hugh Roughsedge saw no need for apology.