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HAZELL, WATSON, AND VINEY, LD.,

LONDON AND AYLESBURY.

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MY LADY FRIVOL

CHAPTER I

ST. JOHN'S VICARAGE

"Complete the work that thou dost design."

Ovid.

THERE is nothing more damping to one's feelings than to arrive at one's destination, after a long absence or a tedious journey, and find no welcoming face on the threshold. To a sensitive person it is like a douche of cold water on a frosty day. But this was Eden Lloyd's experience.

Happily she was prepared for it. There was no surprise on her face when she had rung the bell three times, and the door was still unopened. The door of St. John's Vicarage was never opened very quickly, unless some one happened to be passing at the moment; even the arrival of a

cab full of luggage, and the fact that the guest was expected, did not hurry matters.

It was with a resigned expression, therefore, that Eden rang again-this time lustily-and then hasty footsteps approached, and an untidy-looking maid appeared on the threshold.

"I hope you have not been waiting long, Miss Eden; but I was just cleaning myself, and cook was busy."

"Never mind, Rhoda," returned the young lady, a little wearily-but there was a pleasant smile on her face. "Is Mrs. Lloyd in?"

"Yes, miss, she is in the dining-room, and the master is in his study; but the young ladies are out."

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Very well. Will you please help the cabman with the box?" And then Eden began to collect her other belongings.

It was a warm July afternoon, and Eden's black dress and hat bore signs of a dusty journey. She looked flushed and tired, and her brown hair was a trifle dishevelled.

It was a pleasing tace, but with no pretensions to beauty, or even to good looks; the features were irregular, the complexion fair and freckled ;

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