"For which Lenore does not qualify," added Grand'mere.

"Oh, Lenore is too young as yet."

"I shall soon be sixteen," I said.

"You seem older, doesn't she, Madame Cleremont? So much more sensible than Julia."

"This is my upbringing," said Grand'mere. "Lenore is not in Julia's position. There will be no bringing out for her.''

"I am glad of that,'' said Philip earnestly.

"Why?" asked Grand'mere sharply.

"I don't think it would suit Lenore ... to be paraded. It's all right for Julia . . . not Lenore."

"You think Lenore is not one of the family and therefore . . ."

"I am thankful that she is not one of the family."

He took my hand and pressed it and I saw Grand'mere's eyes were shining. "I think," she said, "that you and I feel that there is something rather . . . how do you say? . . . special about my granddaughter."

"You and I seem to be in agreement about almost everything, Madame Cleremont.''

Grand'mere sat back and lifted her glass. "To the future," she said. And I felt that the pair of them had sealed a pact.

We were all rather thoughtful on the way home and when we were in bed that night, Grand'mere said: "What a delightful young man Philip has grown into."

"He is always gentle and kind."

''So different from his brother. It is strange how people differ. Some say it is in their upbringing, but those two boys have been brought up together . . . and see what a difference."

"Yes," I said, thinking of Charles in the mausoleum.

"I believe he is fond of you. I mean ... I know he is fond of you. What he said this evening ..."

"What did he say . . . only that he was glad I was not one of the family."

"You know what he meant. He is in love with you. He is waiting to say so only because you are so young. Perhaps in a year . . . you'll be just on seventeen and ..."

I laughed. "Oh, Grand'mere, you are romancing. Do you want so much to get me off your hands?"

"More than anything in the world 1 want your happiness. 1 want you to be cherished and loved. That is what I want . . . before I go."

"I wish you would not talk about going."

"I do not intend to go for a long time, but one must be practical. Look at Sir Francis . . . well one day and struck down the next. Oh, he has recovered they say, but he will never be the man he was. I should be so happy if I saw that everything was settled for you. Philip has always been fond of you. I have always known that he was the one. He has that wonderful enthusiasm for his business. He would be dedicated to his work, to his wife and his family."

"Grand'mere, I feel you are making a situation to fit what you want."

She shook her head. "Tonight he showed his feelings clearly. It was almost a proposal."

"I did not see it as such. I think he was just trying to be kind because he thought I felt left out of this presentation business."

"No. No. I am a happy woman tonight. I see the way ahead."

"Well, Grand'mere, I am glad you are happy."

"Good night, my child, and may the good God bless you."

I lay awake thinking about what she had said. I tried to recall every moment of that visit to the Crown and Sceptre. What had Philip said that was so revealing? I knew that he liked me. He had always been kind and friendly and I had looked upon him and Cassie as my best friends in the house.

Had there really been something significant about that conversation-or had Grand'mere tried to fit it into her dreams? I suspected her of that now and then.

And myself . . . married to Philip! Most girls think of marrying when they get into their teens. They dream of knights and heroes of romance. St. George . . . No, nobody wanted a saint. Sir Lancelot was more eligible. He had been a sinner but a great lover. Loving recklessly was more attractive than slaying dragons. People like Nelson . . . Drake . . .

Drake, of course. There had been something exciting about him. Julia had recognized it. What if it had been Drake who had said what Philip did at the table in the Crown and Sceptre? What should I be feeling now?

Quite excited. Well, I was excited now, for it was exciting to be loved ... if that was what Philip had meant by those cryptic words.

The days passed quickly. Charles and Philip left for France, for Sir Francis had recovered sufficiently to resume his normal life; and Grand'mere with Julia and myself returned to The Silk House.

Lady Sallonger greeted me rather peevishly telling me that she had had a very bad time. Miss Logan's voice tired quickly, and Cassie did not put the same expression into the words as I did. We had remained away longer than we had said we would. She had all the anxiety of worrying about Sir Francis.

"If I could go to London and look after him I would be happy to do so," she said. "But here I am ... a poor invalid unable to move from my couch . . . and everyone deserting me. No one seems to realize that I cannot move about. 1 am quite chilled. Ring the bell for them to put some more coal on the fire and is that window open? Well, please close it and bring me my red rug ... I cannot endure this blue one. . . . Oh, the fire, Henry . . . The red rug, Lenore . . . that blue one is so scratchy . . . and my skin is so delicate. See if you can find something to read to me."

So it went on. Grand'mere was right in saying that Lady Sal-longer was getting more demanding than ever. She commanded that I be in attendance whenever I was not in the schoolroom.

I did manage to get to Grand'mere's room. I told Lady Sal-longer that 1 was needed to help with Julia's clothes. The one thing which we had managed to impress on Lady Sallonger was the importance of Julia's coming out. She herself had "come out" so she knew all about it, although it was, of course, a much more demanding matter in those days when the Prince Consort was alive. Then things had been conducted with far more decorum. She had come out and been the success of the season. The offers she had had . . . !

I found her description of the London scene in her days more entertaining than sitting listening to her continual demands, so I encouraged her to speak of it and I learned what it meant to be a young girl in her days; and she grew quite animated remembering.

"There were afternoon parties where everyone was in full evening dress. Drawing Rooms, they called them. They had left those horrid little dark apartments in St. James's Palace and were held in the Throne Boom at Buckingham Palace. We were selected with the greatest care in those days. Such a time it was . . . learning to curtsy and how to walk backwards. It was a nightmare . . . particularly with a train of about three or four yards in length. Those plumes and veils! And being stuffed into your corsets! It was agony for some of the girls. Of course I had a naturally slender waist. And all for a few minutes of being presented to Her Majesty. Oh dear, what days they were! And Sir Francis swept me off my feet before I had a chance with anyone else. I am sure I should have married a duke if I had not been caught up so quickly. How we danced in those days! My foot is going to sleep. Do massage it, Lenore."

So we were back to the familiar, and dreams of past glories faded.

But I did manage to spend some time with Grand'mere. Emmeline was constantly clothed in the most expensive garments. Cassie, who was often with us, was very fond of Emmeline. She made up stories and was sure that, when it was dark, the three dummies came to life and talked about the triumphs they had enjoyed before they were turned into dummies by some wicked witch. She was sure Emmeline smiled inwardly when she was swathed in blue silk.

Julia was happier now. She was back at home. She enjoyed the dancing lessons in which I always had to take part as the gentleman, which I enjoyed very much too. Cassie used to sit watching us, applauding. But I loved best being in the sewing room, taking a turn at Grand'mere's machine, feeling the softness of the silken materials and wishing they were being made for me.

Mia was getting fatter. I think anxiety made her eat even more than normal. I wondered what the Countess would say when she saw what weight Julia was putting on. Grand'mere was concerned that the dresses might not fit when the time came to wear them.

In due course Easter was with us and Julia was delivered by Miss Everton into the hands of the Countess and the real process had begun.

The workroom was very quiet. Cassie said Emmeline was sulking. Grand'mere made two dresses-one for Cassie and one for me-out of the material left over from Julia's needs. We called them our coming out dresses.

August came and the season was drawing to an end. No dukes, viscounts, baronets or even a simple knight had asked for Julia's hand. She was to come down to Epping for a few weeks' rest after her strenuous time, and then she would go up to London again, and under the excellent guidance of the Countess of Bal-lader make a fresh onslaught onto London society.

Philip and Charles had returned from France. Philip came to the house occasionally. He spent a lot of time in the big work- room. I would be there often with Cassie and he would talk enthusiastically about what he had seen in France.

He was worried about his father's health. Sir Francis would insist on going to Spitalfields and he did tire easily. Philip thought he should rest more-something which Sir Francis refused to do.

There was a great deal of excitement in London for Charles had produced some fantastic ideas which had been of inestimable value to those who were researching on new methods.

"Charles of all people," marvelled Philip. ''Who would have thought he was interested enough? He has contrived some formula. He said he has been working it out for some time. So odd. He gave no sign. I should never have thought he was such a secretive fellow. ... To keep something like that to himself! At first I was inclined to be skeptical ... but it seems it is just the climax to something our people have been working on for years. I'm having a special loom made, Madame Cleremont, and I'm going to bring it up here to you, but this has to be secret until it is launched. I don't want any rivals to get a whisper of it. It is going to produce a certain weave which will bring a special sheen . . . not seen before. I think it is going to produce something quite different from anything we have done before. And to think that the clue to this perfection has come through Charles!"

The new loom arrived and Grand'mere used to talk to me about it every night when we were alone.

"Philip is so excited," she said. "I think we shall soon have perfected it. Who would have believed it of Charles! And the funny thing is now that he has given us the key which is bringing it to perfection he seems to have lost interest. Philip is most excited. I think we'll have made it in a few days now. We shall have to make sure it remains Sallongers'.''

"There is that patent Philip mentioned at the Crown and Sceptre."

"That's right."

Philip had been at The Silk House for about two weeks. He was caught up in the excitement.

"This could be something quite unique," he kept declaring.

Then came the great day. Philip took the piece of silk material which Grand'mere handed to him and they looked at each other with shining eyes.

"Eureka!" shouted Philip.

He seized Grand'mere and hugged her. Then he turned to me, lifted me up and swung me round. He kissed me heartily on the lips.

"This is going to be the turn of the tide," he said. "We will celebrate."

"At the Crown and Sceptre," said Grand'mere, "with whitebait and champagne."

Cassie came in. She stared at us in amazement.

"It's a great occasion, Cassie," I cried. "That which has been sought has been found.

"Cassie must join us in the celebration," I added.

Philip took the material and kissed it reverently. "This is going to bring success to the Sallongers," he said.

"Don't forget the patent," I reminded him.

"Wise girl," he cried. "I shall see to it this very day. We need a name for it."

Grand'mere said: "Why not Lenore Silk? Lenore has had a hand in it."

"No, no," I cried. "That would be ridiculous. It is Charles's really and yours, Philip . . . Grand'mere's too. I have just stood by and done the fetching and carrying. Let's call it Sallon Silk. That's part of the family name and we have alliteration's artful aid."

On consideration it was decided that that was a good name. And that evening we sailed to Greenwich and, as Grand'mere had suggested, celebrated on whitebait and champagne.

For some time we talked of little but Sallon Silk. It was an instant success and there were articles about it in the papers. Sallongers were commended for their enterprise and the prosperity they were bringing to the country. ''There is no silk which can match its excellence," said the fashion editors. "Nothing from China or India, Italy or even France can compare with it. Sallon is unique and we should be proud that it has been discovered by a British company."

We used to talk about Sallon when we were in Grand'mere's workroom. Philip was often there discussing new ways of turning the invention to advantage. At the moment it was very expensive and a Sallon Silk dress was an essential of every fashionable wardrobe; but Philip wanted to use the method for producing cheaper material and so putting it within the reach of many more women to possess a Sallon Silk dress.

It was now being made in the factories. New looms had been installed for the purpose and Grand'mere, to her delight, was experimenting with an idea to bring out a cheap version.

She, Cassie and I were caught up in the project. Julia was in London where the Countess had moved into the house in Grantham Square and she was chaperoning Julia on her engagements.

We were into another year. I should soon be seventeen. Grand'mere had always implied that that was an age when wonderful things would happen.

Then the blow fell. Sir Francis had another stroke and this time it was fatal.

It was a bleak January day when they brought his body to Epping for burial. The coffin lay in the house for two days before it was taken to the mausoleum. There was to be a service in the nearby church and then Sir Francis would be brought to his last resting place.

The whole family was assembled at the house. Lady Sallon-ger assumed great grief which I felt could not be genuine for she had seen so little of him and never seemed to miss him. She insisted on going to the service to see the last she said of "dear Francis." She was carried down to the carriage, looking frail in her black garments and hat with the sweeping black ostrich feathers. She held a white handkerchief to her eyes and insisted that Charles should support her on one side and Philip on the other.

It was chilly in the church. The coffin stood on trestles throughout the service, then it was taken to the carriage and we made our slow ceremonial way to the mausoleum.

Standing there in the bitter wind memories came back to me. Several of the servants were there and I noticed Willie with the dog in his arms.

On the edge of the crowd was a stranger. She was dressed in black and there was a veil over her face. She looked tragic.

I knew at once who she was and I saw that Grand'mere did too.

"Poor woman," she whispered.

It was Mrs. Darcy.

The summer had come. Philip was often at The Silk House. Grand'mere used to grow pink with pleasure when she heard his voice. He talked to us about the business.

"There is no doubt," he said, "that the discovery of Sallon Silk has saved us from bankruptcy. Yes," he continued, ''things were pretty bad. No wonder my father worried himself into an illness. The French were getting the better of us at every turn. They could produce so much cheaper and I suspect that they were cutting their prices just to wipe us out of the market. Well, we've retaliated. Sallon Silk has saved us."

"Charles must be very proud."

"He's not in the office much. He says he'll come when he's found some other invention which will revolutionise the silk industry."

"How very strange," I said, "that he, who is not really interested-or doesn't appear to be-should come up with this miraculous discovery."

"Odd indeed. I begin to think he must have a big feeling for silk after all. He is now having what he calls a good time. I have to say he deserves it and as long as he is ready to settle down in time, we'll let him continue."

Now that I was approaching my seventeenth birthday it seemed that I should be out of the schoolroom. I should have liked to work more with Grand'mere. I was getting more and more immersed into the excitement of the new discovery and 1 loved designing gowns which would suitably show it off. There were now several kinds of silk based on the new invention and Philip was introducing new colours which would suit it best. He was constantly involved with dyers and discovering where, because of the local water, the best results could be achieved.

I looked forward to the days when he came and we would sit in Grand'mere's room and talk. Cassie was often there. She would sit silently, listening, usually on a stool, her knees crossed and her hands clasped about them. She was very happy to be a part of the excitement.

My birthday was in November. Not a good time for a birthday, Julia had always said. It was too near Christmas. The best time for a birthday was in the middle of the year. She may have been right, but I was greatly looking forward to my seventeenth birthday, for it would be a sign that I had passed out of girlhood and was a young woman.

Had I been a daughter of the house there would have been a season for me; but of course there could not be one for a girl in my position.

Julia's season did not appear, so far, to have done a great deal for her. She was still, as Grand'mere cynically said, "on the market." She was quite discontented and, I think, a little deflated because she had had no proposal of marriage. As I said to Grand'mere, it must have had a demoralizing effect on a girl.

As for myself I was passing into a new phase. Lady Sallonger was very pleased about it. She was thinking up more tasks for me. "It is absurd ... a girl of your age. . . going to the schoolroom every day. Why, I don't doubt you could teach Miss Everton a thing or two. I want you to look at my tapestry. I think there is something wrong with the pattern." That meant her stitches were at fault, but she blamed the design, not herself. "You can come to me in the mornings when you leave the schoolroom. I feel so lonely when I am having my glass of sherry. I want you to talk to me."

I said to Grand'mere: "Lady Sallonger is going to find new ways of using my time when I leave the schoolroom."