"Indeed!" The strange old man did not display the slightest sign of
sympathy for Mr Connor's anxieties. He relaxed his hold of the stick,
and sank wearily against the back of the seat. "There are two step-
daughters, I believe--the two Miss Farrells?"

"Ah!" exclaimed Mollie deeply. It was quite a tragic note, as who
should say, "Now we are beginning to talk! Now, at last, we reach the
real point of the discussion! Just that deep `Ah,' and no more, until
perforce another question must be asked.

"You know the Miss Farrells also?"

"I do!"

"And find them as attractive as the rest of the family?"

"Oh, more--much more! They are darlings!" cried Mollie, with unction,
"especially the younger. Her name is Mary, but they call her Mollie,
because it suits her better. Don't you always imagine a Mollie very
sweet, and charming, and attractive?"

"I can't say that I have devoted any attention to the subject. So Mary
is the younger of the two, is she? And the elder?"

"Ruth! she's pretty and serious, and very, very nice; but Mollie is
nicer, all the same. When you get to know them, you must promise to
like Mollie best, for my sake! I'm so fond of her, that I want
everybody to be the same. I like her better than anyone I ever knew!"

The old man smiled grimly.

"You appear to be of an enthusiastic temperament; I fancy I shall prefer
to judge for myself when I make the young lady's acquaintance. We had
better be getting on now. I am sorry to hinder your progress, but it is
not possible for me to move more quickly at present. I should not have
attempted the walk if I had known that it was so long; but the cab
jolted insufferably, and the sunshine was tempting. Well,--there is
nothing for it but to make another effort!"

He pressed his hands on the seat to lighten the effort of rising, but
before he had got any further, Mollie stepped forward eagerly, and laid
a hand on his shoulder. Her cheeks were flushed with colour, her eyes
a-sparkle with excitement.

"Unless you will let me help you! ... I'm very strong; I could support
you easily, if you would take my arm and lean on me. I'd love to do it.
Do let me? Won't you,--_Uncle Bernard_?"

CHAPTER FIVE.

AN INVITATION.

The old man fell backward on the seat with an exclamation of keenest
surprise. His sunken eyes stared into Mollie's face as she bent over
him; at the golden hair curling beneath the dark toque, the grey eyes,
the curving