Colonel Middleton was stanch to his little favorite, and sat on the
couch between her and Grace, while Nan and Miss Middleton talked
apart. Nan watched the tea-table smilingly. She did so love to see
Phillis happy; it never occurred to her to feel herself a little
neglected, or to wonder why the grave young master of the house so
seldom addressed her: thoughts of this sort never entered Nan's head.

But she grew a little silent by and by, and began to answer Elizabeth
somewhat absently. She did not know what it meant, but a certain
strong longing took possession of her,--a sort of craving to see
Dick's face and hear his voice. It was foolish, of course; and then
she roused herself with difficulty.

"How late Harry is! I wonder if the train be really snowed up! Oh,
that must be he!" as the door-bell sounded. "Mattie will be glad; she
was so afraid the coffee would be cold." For Mattie had poured this
grievance into every one's ears.

Of course it was Sir Harry. Yes, as the door opened, there were the
broad, genial face and the massive shoulders that could only belong
to one person. And who was this young man following him,--a somewhat
insignificant young man compared to this son of Anak,--a young man
with sandy hair, with a trivial moustache, with a free, careless
expression of good-nature that seemed somehow stamped on his
features?

Nan did not speak or move in her corner; but she locked her hands
together tightly, and a most wonderful blush came to her face; for the
young man's eyes had moved quickly round the room, with an eager
expression in them, and had just rested upon her.

Nan sat immovable while Sir Harry, gave the necessary introduction in
his loud, jovial voice:

"I am sorry to be late,--I am, 'pon my honor, Miss Mattie! but it
could not be helped: could it, Mayne? Mr. Drummond, I have taken the
liberty to bring a friend with me; he is my guest at present,--Mr.
Richard Mayne. He has come down to Hadleigh to see some old
acquaintances of his."

"Dick! Oh, Dick!" the words would come out now. Miss Middleton had
judiciously vacated the corner of the couch, and Dick had boldly
placed himself there instead, after first touching Nan's trembling
hand. "What does it mean? Why have you startled me so?" she whispered,
for they were in a snug corner, and no one was near them.

"I suppose a man has a right to come and look after his own
belongings?" returned Dick, in the coolest possible manner. But his
eye