en the cab drove
up, and out stepped her master and mistress and little Harold--Harold
looking white and thin even yet, but still with an altogether improved
expression on his little face. Anne was so excited, knowing all that was
to come, that she caught Harold up in her arms and kissed him, which
proceeding he bore with more patience than appreciation. Then ensued
bustle and confusion and pleasant excitement. Charlotte Home felt so
well and rested from her change, her husband was so delighted to have
her back, and little Harold was so manifestly better, that Anne flew
about nearly wild with delight. "They'll be a deal, deal 'appier
by-and-by, and 'tis hall 'long of HAnne," she kept whispering to
herself.

And now, tea being over, and Harold tucked up comfortably once more in
his own little cot in the nursery, the small maid began to be devoured
with impatience for the expected ring. It came at last; Anne with her
own hands unfastened the door, showed the rich uncle into the
dining-room, and danced upstairs to find her mistress. Charlotte Home
was unpacking a trunk in her own room.

"What do you say, Anne? A gentleman is downstairs, and wants to see me?
But I am so dreadfully busy. What does he want? Do you think he has come
about the drawing-rooms? They will be vacant next week."

"I don't think 'tis about the drawing-rooms, 'em," answered Anne as
demurely as she could speak. "I 'avent put no card hup yet. Please, 'em,
he looks a most benevolent gen'leman, and he axed fur you, yer hown
self, 'em, most partic'lar bad."

"I wish he had not come this evening, everything is in such confusion.
Anne, are you sure your master is out?"

"Yes, 'em, sure and certain; and ef you please, 'em, it wor fur you as
the strange gen'leman axed."

"Well, I suppose I must go down. He may have heard of the drawing-rooms
through Mr. Hinton, and it would not do to lose a good lodger."

Charlotte went to the looking-glass to smooth her hair. She felt
travel-stained and dusty; she was only a worn, pale-looking woman at the
best of times. She ran downstairs, and Anne's heart beat as she heard
the dining-room door shut behind her.

Mr. Wilson--Sandy Wilson as he preferred to be called--had got himself
up with due care for his interview with his niece. He had a perfectly
new and shining broadcloth suit on, a diamond pin was in his necktie,
and a very massive gold chain could be seen dangling from his vest
pocket. His full face, always f