"Then I suppose she must come," said Kitty.
"It would be a kindness," said Sir John, slowly. "I happen to know Miss Dartmoor; she has few pleasures."
Kitty nodded. Sir John turned to Mary.
"Now, then, Miss Bateman, whom am I to ask on your account?"
"Oh, father, father! How delightful! how he will enjoy it!" said Mary, her eyes sparkling, her face beaming. "He will so thoroughly appreciate it all, and it will be so splendid of you, Sir John."
"How very free and easy Mary Bateman is," thought Florry to herself.
Sir John smiled, took down Mr. Bateman's address, and promised that the invitation should reach him in good time.
"I wonder if he will come. How he would love it!" thought Mary.
Sir John glanced at her pleased face with marked approval.
"And now, Miss Aylmer," he said, turning to Florence, "who will you have present—the one you love best: your mother, for instance?"