the best," said Mrs. Willis. "I am rather glad, my
dear," she added, "that I am here, for I think Miss Susy will be on her
best behaviour in my presence."

"Well, I think it's the most awful thing that ever happened," exclaimed
Nan. "Fancy having a sleepy thing like that at the Towers, instead of
Nell and Kitty and Boris."

The girls discussed the matter a little further, and then Hester went
away to attend to Nora.

The shock of Molly's intelligence had really affected Nora to an almost
painful degree. Her nerves had been terribly shaken by her serious fall,
and she was so restless and miserable for the first twenty-four hours
after the stunning blow had been given to her that the beloved Towers
was no longer her home, that a doctor had to be sent for, who ordered
her a soothing draught, and said that she ought to be kept extremely
quiet.

By this time, however, Nora was not only better, but much interested in
the strange new outlook. She had found her life often dull enough in the
dear old home--for it was by this term she now invariably spoke of the
Towers--she had longed to flutter her little wings in a larger and gayer
world--she had fancied the small triumphs which might be hers, and had
believed much in the charms of her own pretty face. She had dreamed
dreams of herself in society, and felt sure that the fact of her being a
Lorrimer of the Towers would insure her a passport into any circle. Now,
of course, matters would be different, but still the new life must be,
at least, more interesting than the old. It would be impossible any
longer to have nothing to do in the day except to learn rather
old-fashioned lessons under the tutorship of Jane Macalister, to
contrive to dress out of almost nothing at all, and to listen for ever
to Molly's slow talk about ways and means, and the children's chatter
over their pets. Nora looked ahead with interest. She was sorry for
Hester, of course, but she thought it would be very delightful to meet
Mrs. Bernard Temple and Antonia, and even the news that Susan Drummond
was coming, and that Susy's father was now the owner of the Towers,
scarcely disturbed her equanimity.

"It's very kind of you to break it to me, Hetty," she said; "but of
course I knew that someone had bought the Towers, and why not Mr.
Drummond as well as another?"

"Why not, truly," replied Hester; "I am glad you are so sensible, Nora.
I'll send Annie to you as soon as ever I can. Now I must run away, as