to Miss Sterling's room, as usual, leaving Miss Sterling to see
Mrs. Adlerfeld and to give her Mrs. Dudley's invitation to spend
the rest of the day at her house.

Happily, Miss Sniffen was not in sight as Polly made her quick way
to the third floor.

"You dear child! Then you're not sick! I was afraid you were."

Miss Sterling held her at arm's length, to make sure of her health.

"Sick? Not a bit!" laughed Polly. "Mother thought I'd better not
come until Miss Sniffen had had a chance to forget she sent me
home--that's all! I wasn't coming till to-morrow, but something
happened--the loveliest thing!"

"What?"

"Come, sit down, and I'll tell you!"

"I can't imagine what it is!"

"No, you can't! You couldn't guess if you had a year to do it in!
The nicest man has come from New York to see Mrs. Adlerfeld, and
they wouldn't let him in here! Wasn't that mean! So he came over
to our house, to ask if we knew her and could help him out. He
used to know Mrs. Adlerfeld in Sweden, and he's bound to see her!
Oh, he's so lovable! His hair is as white! But he doesn't look
old. Can't you come over pretty soon and see him? Though I don't
know as you'd better. That might give it away--to have two come!
Mother wants you to tell Mrs. Adlerfeld that she would like to have
her spend the day with us. Make her come just as quick as she can.
You can tell her that it is Mr. Victor von Dalin that is
there--isn't that a sweet name? Oh, I do hope she will come!
He'll have a fit if she doesn't! Wasn't Miss Sniffen horrible the
other day? When we were having such a good time! I must go--no, I
guess I'll wait till you've been up and found out. Then I can tell
him."

Polly waited and waited, wondering, after five minutes, why Miss
Sterling did not come back.

"Dear me!" she thought anxiously, "I hope Mrs. Adlerfeld hasn't
fainted or anything!"

The time dragged slowly away. Ten o'clock went by. Polly wandered
restlessly around the room. She took up a book, but could not
read. Once she started to go down the hall to find out; then she
concluded she had better not. She looked out of the window, but
could think of nothing but the worrying fact of Miss Nita's
prolonged absence.

At last she heard her light step in the corridor. She sprang to
the door.

"What in the world--"

Miss Sterling motioned for silence, and they hurried to the further
side of the room.

"I knew you'd be frantic," she began; "but I