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 INA had not yet got her establishment thoroughly settled when, preceded by several telegrams, Edith di Pepoli arrived, with a mountain-wagon full of luggage. She came late at night and went straight to bed, where she stayed till four the next afternoon.

"It looks as though she meant to stop with me all summer," said Nina in the morning. "She said she was too tired to talk last night, but I shall have it all to-day, I suppose. Of course it's the best thing she can do, coming to stay with us, and I daresay she expects me to make it up again with Egisto."

"And shall you try?" asked Teresa.

"I don't know. One hates a scandal like that in the family, but as for Edith—really I don't much care on her account. She promised me solemnly, she swore to me, last time, that she'd behave herself properly in future—and now you see. I've no patience with that sort of person. A woman like that is no better than—than a creature out of the streets. In fact she's worse—for she has her position and her family to think of. No, I won't have her in my house—I won't have her here with my children!"

Nina flushed suddenly with anger and she