ut Mr. Manlius's flow was suddenly turned off by the appearance of Mrs.
Starkey herself. The introduction, too, which, as manager of this little
scene, he had rehearsed to himself, was rendered unnecessary by the
prompt action of Nicholas, who hastened forward, with tumultuous
feelings, to greet his aunt. His honest nature had no sceptical reserve;
and he saluted her affectionately, before the light of the feeble lamp,
which seemed to have husbanded all its strength for this critical
moment, could disclose to him anything of the personal appearance of his
relative. At this moment the twinkling light, like a star at dawn, went
out; and Mrs. Manlius, rushing off, reappeared with an astral, which
turned the somewhat gloomy aspect of affairs into cheerful light.
Perhaps it was symbolic of a sunrise upon the world which enclosed
Nicholas and his aunt. Nicholas looked at Mrs. Starkey, who was indeed
flurried, and saw a pinched and meagre woman, the flower of whose youth
had long ago been pressed in the book of ill-fortune until it was
colorless and scentless. She found words presently, even before Nicholas
did; and sitting down with him in the encouraging presence of the
Manlii, she uttered her thoughts in an incoherent way:--

"Dear, dear! who would have said it? When Miss Pix came to invite us all
to her party, and said, 'Mrs. Starkey, I'm sure I hope you will come,' I
thought it might be too much for such a quiet body as I be. But that was
nothing to this. Why, if here I haven't got a real nephew; and, to be
sure, it's a great while since I saw your mother, but, I declare, you do
look just like her, and a Judge's son you are, too. Did they say you
looked like your father, Nickey? I was asking Caroline if she thought my
bombazine would do, after all; and now I do think I ought to wear my
India silk, and put on my pearl necklace, for I don't want my Nicky to
be ashamed of me. You'll go with us, won't you, nephew, to Miss Pix's? I
expect it's going to be a grand party; and I'll go round and introduce
you to all the great people; and how did you leave your father,
Nicholas?"

"Why, aunt, did not Mr. Manlius tell you that he was dead?" said
Nicholas. "Her memory's a little short," whispered Mrs. Manlius; but,
hardly interrupted by this little answer and whisper, Mrs. Starkey was
again plunging headlong into a current of words, and struggling among
the eddies of various subjects. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Manlius, having,
as mana