that night. Nora shut her eyes to dream of herself as queen of the
fairies, and Molly and Hester sat down to write letters which required a
little more thought than the invitations which had just been got
through. Hester wrote--

"DEAR FATHER,

"I am sorry you are still away; I like to feel that I am of use to
you. Whenever you come back you will have a hearty welcome from me.
We are all well here and the weather is splendid; even Nora is
quite well, although the doctor says she must lie on her back for
some weeks longer. Annie is still with us, and Molly has been
staying here to help look after Nora; not that she is wanted much
for that post, for Annie is the most indefatigable nurse, and Nora
simply adores her. But Molly is great company for me and I am
delighted to have her, she is such a dear girl. I hope what you say
about Squire Lorrimer is not true. I can see that Molly is very
anxious, and the Squire and Mrs. Lorrimer have just gone to London,
which is quite unusual. There is evidently something the matter,
but none of the children have been told what it is. How I wish you
could help the Squire, father. I know you are very very rich, and
oh, it will break Molly's heart if they have to leave the dear old
Towers. Now, I must talk to you about Nan's birthday. We are going
to have a children's ball in the old ball-room at the Towers. It is
going to be quite lovely. Annie is designing our dresses. She makes
us all quite enthusiastic, she has such exquisite taste. I hope you
will come home in time to see us in our pretty dresses. I am to be
St. Agnes, and Annie says that I shall look like a dream! Did you
ever think that your sensible Hetty would talk such folly?--Your
affectionate daughter,

"HESTER THORNTON."

Hester finished her letter, folded it up, and addressed it. She then
glanced towards Molly, whose fair head was bent low over the sheet of
paper which she was filling. She wrote--

"DARLING MOTHER,

"I went to the Towers this morning with Hester and found that you
had gone. Is anything the matter? Oh, if I had been at home you
might have told me. I can't bear either you or father to have a
burden that I don't share. I feel anxious and unhappy, but I will
try very hard to be brave. Nonie is getting on so nicely, and Annie