"My dear girls," said Mrs. Clavering, just as they were approaching the house, "I see you are all a little nervous, thinking that a somewhat strange test will be applied to you to-day, but I assure you, my dears, that nothing of the kind is intended, and I beg of you, as you wish to impress your kind host favorably, to be at any cost natural and true to yourselves.  Florence dear, I would specially beg of you to remember my words.  Don't set your heart too much on any earthly good thing, my child, for often those who lose gain more than those who win."