"Who is Mrs. Metcalfe?" asked Tom, when they got outside. "Is she a great
authority, Rose?"

"She is Lady Desborough's sister," returned Rose, with dignity. "Pauline
and I went to tea there yesterday. She lives in Grosvenor Square."

"Ah, I understand now why Miss Smythe spoke of her with bated breath,"
returned Tom in the light, bantering tone which so often irritated Rose.
"I might have known she lived in Grosvenor Square."

Rose refused to take notice of his raillery. "It was Mrs. Metcalfe who got
Miss Sampson for Clare. She heard of her through some agency. What has
made Aunt Lucy take such an interest in her, Tom? She was down here again
yesterday, wasn't she?"

"Yes. Have you seen her, Rosie?"

"For a moment or two. She looked nice, I thought. But I can't imagine what
Aunt Lucy can find for her to do."

"Aunt Lucy is sure that she must be related to Cousin Lydia's husband. It
is natural that she should take a great interest in her. She is coming
down again next week to stay for a day or two. Aunt Lucy told me this
morning that she meant to ask her. I am sure you will like her, Rosie."

Tom spoke without looking at his sister, and hurried forward to open the
gate of the stable yard for her without waiting to get an answer. But Rose
had no answer ready. The tone in which Tom had spoken took her breath
away. He seemed to think it was a matter of importance whether she liked
Miss Sampson or not.