Charles had changed. I was always amazed to see him and Philip when they came home; they seemed to grow so fast and to change with it-particularly Charles. He was quite grown-up now; he walked with a swagger and drawled faintly. He was playing the part of a worldly young gentleman. I was faintly amused. I saw his eyes following Grace with some appreciation. I heard Miss Logan say to Miss Everton that she would like to know what he got up to ... or perhaps it would be better not to know.

Miss Everton sighed and said: "They don't remain young long.'' She spoke with feeling. I imagined she was thinking they would not be needing her at The Silk House much longer.

Philip was very different from Charles-much more serious, I thought Charles was not very interested in the family business-or ever would be. But he was enormously interested in the female form.

Once, to my horror, I caught his eyes on me as though he were considering . . . what? I could not imagine. But I did not like that seering glance and I felt myself growing hot under it.

I was in the garden where I used to sit with Grand'mere and I was alone, hoping that she would join me as she often did at this hour. I heard footsteps and looked up expecting her. But it was a young man.

He was very tall and very fair . . . quite good looking in a Nordic way. When he saw me he smiled pleasantly. "Oh, I say," he said, "I hope I'm not intruding."

"No," I replied. "What... do you want? Are you looking for someone?"

''For Charles Sallonger actually. There wasn't time to let him know. I've left my luggage at the house and as none of the family was in I said I'd look round the garden for a while. It's a lovely spot. I knew it was in the heart of the forest but I didn't imagine it quite like this."

"Are you a visitor? You must be . . ."

"Drake Aldringham," he said.

''I might have guessed.''

"Are you . . . Julia?"

"No. I'm Lenore Cleremont." Clearly he did not know who that was, so I explained: "I live here. I'm not one of the family. My grandmother works here and it has always been my home."

He nodded. "It's a most interesting place. Coming here from the station I thought it was magnificent."

"Yes, I feel that, too."

"Charles tells me it is the country house. There is a place in London."

"Yes, in Grantham Square. I have only been there once or twice. Sir Francis. . . that is Charles's father... is there most of the time."

I liked his friendly looks and the fact that his manner towards me had not changed when he had discovered that I was not a member of the family.

"I daresay Charles or Philip will be in soon," I said.

"I thought of paying my respects to Lady Sallonger but they said she was resting."

"Oh yes, she would be at this time. She is very delicate."

He nodded.

''We have been eagerly waiting for you to come,'' I told him.

''How nice of you.''

"We've talked about you a lot ... about Sir Francis Drake and all that."

He grimaced. "You can imagine what it has been like going round all my life with a name like that."

"Inspiring, I should think."

"A little daunting. They are expecting me to go to sea."

"And you don't want to?"

He shook his head. "I want to go into politics."

"I am sure that will be very exciting. There is always some-thing going on ... and you are shaping the country's destiny."

He laughed. "You make it sound like a great responsibility . . . but it is rather like that. I've always wanted to know what was going on and how we fit into European politics. My uncle has talked to me a great deal. He knows of my ambition."

"It must be very satisfying to know what you want in life. It enables you to go straight for it. So many people are undecided."

"Very often one has to deal with opposition."

"But that makes it more exciting in a way. How does one begin in politics?"

"Well, you really start at University. I'm in all sorts of things . . . debating society and political club. I see a great deal of my uncle. I go to the House and see him there. It gets into your blood. I read the newspapers and form my opinions about what is going on. I discuss it with my uncle, who encourages me in every way. I'm lucky to have him. It's so thrilling to learn of these things. People are apt to shut themselves up in little cocoons. They know what is happening in their immediate circle. They know the Tay Bridge was destroyed. They know Gladstone had defeated Beaconsfield and is in power. They know Parnell is being tried for conspiracy. But they don't really know what is going on in Africa. What I mean is they don't know why. I'm talking too much. You must forgive me. I get carried away."

I said: "I'm very interested. I am sure you would make an excellent politician."

Just at that moment Grand'mere came into the garden. She was looking for me.

"Grand'mere," I said. "This is Mr. Drake Aldringham. He has arrived and there is no one to receive him."

She came towards us. She had great dignity. One would have thought she was mistress of the house.

"We have heard so much about you," she said. "I am sure Charles will be quite put out that he was not here to greet you."

"It was my fault," he said. "I should have let him know, but I thought it was quicker just to come."

"So you have been received by my granddaughter."

"Yes, we have been having a very interesting conversation. But I'm afraid I was talking a great deal about myself."

"That is the sign of a good politician," I replied, and he laughed.

We sat down by the pool and I went on to say: "Mr. Aldringham has been telling me about his ambitions, Grand'mere.''

We talked about the forest and he said he had been very eager to see The Silk House. It was such an unusual name. One would expect it to be made of silk ... if that were possible.

"You know of course that the Sallongers are the biggest manufacturers of silk of the country," said my grandmother. He did not know, but he was interested and I told the romantic story of the Huguenot St. Ailengeres coming to England and becoming Sallongers. "They had to leave everything they possessed," I said, "and all they could bring with them was their knowledge of silk."

He thought it was romantic and exciting and he said he would enjoy his stay at The Silk House all the more because of the fascinating history behind it.

I could see that Grand'mere liked him. She had a very special look in her eyes; she smiled and nodded and talked volubly with a sprinkling of French among her words.

We could have gone on quite happily for a long time but Charles came out. He had returned to the house and was immediately told that his guest had arrived and had gone into the gardens so he had come to look for him and I guessed the sound of our voices had directed him to us.

He stood at the entrance to the garden looking in surprise at Drake Aldringham sitting between myself and Grand'mere chattering to each other like old friends.

"Drake . . . old fellow," he said.

Drake stood up.

"So there you are," he said. "I should have let you know but it seemed more sensible to arrive."

"It's good to see you. Sorry I was out and there was no one to receive you."

"Oh, but there was Miss Lenore and her grandmother. We have had a very interesting chat."

Charles gave a sharp laugh. He hardly glanced at us. He took Drake's arm and said: "Let's go in."

Drake looked over his shoulder and smiled at us. "I'll see you later," he said.

And they had gone.

Grand'mere looked at me, her eyes smiling.

"But he is charming. He is very . . . interessant ... I like him. He is a very nice young man."

"I thought he was quite pleasant."

"It is good that such come to the house," said Grand'mere.

She looked at me with dreams in her eyes. I was beginning to realize how preoccupied she was with my future. As we went back to the house she was humming En passant par la Lorraine under her breath.

The entire household was enchanted by Drake Aldringham. He was natural in his behaviour, so enthusiastic about every-thing and charming to everyone. Even Cassie came out of her shell and talked to him with ease. Lady Sallonger was delighted with him. She would have him sit beside her and talk.

"My dear boy, you must tell me all about yourself. It is so exciting for me. Here I am a prisoner... on my couch doomed to spend my life here and you . . . you have these wonderful plans. Tell about that uncle of yours . . . and of course of your father. When are you going to get into Parliament? You must be our member, mustn't he Julia? We would all work for him, wouldn't we?''

"Oh yes, we would," said Julia fervently.

Julia was already half way to falling in love with him, but I think she would have been with any young man who had pre-sented himself at that time.

He had great charm and could respond to Lady Sallonger's mildly flirtatious conversation and be quite serious with Philip; I used to hear him laughing heartily with Charles; he was at ease and at home with everybody. He always had a special smile for me; and I would often find him sitting next to me when we were in the drawing room. I thought meeting me first had made a special friendship between us.

Julia was a little resentful of that. I understood. She wanted Drake's undivided attention and it was indefensible that I, not even a member of the family, should take it from her. When I sat with him, Cassie would often join us and it was amazing how she lost her shyness in his company. I often found Charles's eyes on me and I felt rather uncomfortable under his scrutiny. I thought he was implying that I should remember my place.

It was agreed that something must be done to entertain the guest and Lady Sallonger decided on a dinner party. We should ask about twenty guests and with the family that should make a considerable party. They might dance afterwards, just informally as the company would be comparatively small. There was a ballroom which was not used half enough but would be, of course, after Julia had come out. Lady Sallonger thought that several people who did not live very far away should be invited. They need not stay the night. But there could be one or two from London who would have to, of course. But The Silk House was commodious enough. She grew quite excited planning it.

I was commanded to bring her writing pad and paper. "Not that one. Lenore ... the larger one in my bureau." Finally we had the right pad and the right pen and the compilation of the list began.

There was excitement throughout the house. I was to go to the party. Certain duties had been assigned to me.

"You will look after the Barkers, Lenore," said Lady Sallonger. "I don't suppose anyone will want to talk to them . . . and I don't think people like to feel neglected. It makes the party seem unsuccessful. Perhaps I should not have asked them. They are very, very rich . . . but it was all made out of building. People might forget that but Jack Barker won't let them. He talks about property developments and decay in the industry all the time. I'm only asking them because we need the number and they are near enough to go home afterwards."

Grand'mere was in a state of uncertainty. Before she had known that I would be there she was thoughtful. "It will be a sign," she said. "I want you to be there . . . I do so want you to be there."

So when I was told about the Barkers she was overjoyed.

"I shall make you a dress, mon enfant. You shall have such a dress as will make you shine among them all."

"Julia wouldn't like that," I reminded her.

"Oh, she would not know. She is lacking in style, that one. She does not know a perfection when she sees it. She is too fond of show and glitter ... but that is not style. Oh no. That is not chic ..."

She did make me a dress. It was my first grown-up dress. It was in flame coloured silk, which suited my dark hair; it had a tight bodice and short puffed sleeves; the glory was in the skirt, which flared out from the waist in numerous flounces.

There were tears in Grand'mere's eyes when she fitted it on.

"You look so like your mother," she said. "I could almost believe ..."

I embraced her and said it was very grand, and it would be my favourite dress for the rest of my life.

The evening came and the guests arrived. Lady Sallonger received them on her couch. She looked very regal when they came to bow to her. Charles and Philip were with her and Drake Aldringham, of course. It was all very splendid.

It was to be a buffet supper and the tables were set out in the dining room. The musicians were already playing in the ballroom and Lady Sallonger had arrived there leaning heavily on Charles's arm. She had seated herself to watch the dancing.

I, of course, was with the Barkers. Mr. Barker talked all the time about his business. Mrs. Barker said very little; she sat arms folded over her ample stomach looking like a Chinese Buddha and watching her husband as though the words which came from his ever-open mouth were some divine gospel.

Still, it was fun to be there. I learned of the difference between building with bricks and with stones, of the difficulty there was to find workmen who knew their jobs, and how people did not work as they used to with all this talk of reform. Things had started to decline since every Tom, Dick and Harry could get the vote.

I was not paying very much attention but I took my cue from Mrs. Barker and just assumed an air of respectful absorption while my mind wandered.

I saw Drake Aldringham with Julia. Cassie was seated beside her mother. She could not dance because of her leg. Poor Cassie, I thought, she did not enjoy such occasions very much.

Charles looked in my direction and I was amazed when he sauntered over.

"Good evening, Mr. Barker, Mrs. Barker," he said. "I hope you are enjoying the occasion."

"Splendid, splendid," replied Mr. Barker. "This is a finely proportioned room. They knew what they were doing when they built this place."

"I'll grant you that,'' said Charles, giving me a conspiratorial look." Alas, Mr. Barker, that you were not around at the time. I am sure if you had been it would have been even more splendid."

Mr. Barker looked pleased. "Oh, I would have brought a bit of modernity into it. That fireplace. Look at it. It must use up tons of coal. Should have been more shallow."

"I am sure you are right. I am going to take Lenore round the floor. She looks as if she is longing to dance."

I turned to Mrs. Barker. I felt it was strange that Charles should be so concerned about me.

Mrs. Barker said: "That's nice. Young people ought to enjoy themselves. We'll see you later, Miss Cleremont."

Charles had gripped my arm.

"There," he said, as he led me into the dance. "Ah, the waltz. I love the waltz, don't you?" He put his arm round my waist and drew me close to him.