"How good of your papa to come so soon!" said Mrs. Campbell. "But I hope he will not want to take you away from me."
Accustomed as she was to be petted and indulged, Beryl was charmed beyond measure by Mrs. Campbell's sweet, caressing manner and winning words. As she went downstairs, holding that lady's hand, she thought that she had never known any one so kind and pleasant. Coral, who walked behind, and had been less noticed, was not so favourably impressed with their new acquaintance.
Mr. Hollys had come with the intention of taking the children into the Park, to amuse them with a sight of the beautiful horses, and fair and stately riders, to be seen at this hour in Rotten Row. But Mrs. Campbell had so much to say to him that it was some time ere he could get away, and Beryl's patience was sorely tried.
"Well, Beryl, how do you like your present quarters?" asked Mr. Hollys, as with the two children, he left the house, having promised to return there for luncheon, and afterwards join in the excursion to the Zoological Gardens, which Mrs. Campbell had planned for the children's pleasure.
"Oh, papa, I think everything is delightful," exclaimed Beryl rapturously, "and Mrs. Everard is so kind, and Percy, and Mrs. Campbell."
"Then you like Mrs. Campbell?" observed her father.
"Why, yes, of course I do," exclaimed Beryl; "I think Mrs. Campbell is the nicest woman I have ever known; don't you, Coral?"
"Not nicer than Miss Burton," said Coral.
"Well, no; she is not nicer than Miss Burton; no one could be; but Mrs. Campbell is very kind and very pretty; don't you think so, papa?"
"Oh, of course," said Mr. Hollys with a laugh, which puzzled Beryl.