their work; a new carpet was
laid down; but pictures had still to be restored to their places,
and the furniture stood all together in the middle of the room. Not
till Louise had entered did her hostess look round.

'Mrs. Mumford, I want to say good-bye.'

'Oh, yes,' Emmeline answered civilly, but without a smile.
'Good-bye, Miss Derrick.'

And she stepped forward to shake hands.

'Don't be afraid,' said the girl, looking into her face
good-humouredly. 'You shall never see me again unless you wish to.'

'I'm sure I wish you all happiness,' was the embarrassed reply.
'And--I shall be glad to hear of your marriage.'

'I'll write to you about it. But you won't talk--unkindly about me
when I've gone--you and Mr. Mumford?'

'No, no; indeed we shall not.'

Louise tried to say something else, but without success. She pressed
Emmeline's hand, turned quickly, and disappeared. In half-an-hour's
time arrived the vehicle Mrs. Higgins had engaged; without delay
mother and daughter left the house, and were driven off. Mrs.
Mumford kept a strict retirement. When the two had gone she learnt
from the housemaid that their luggage would be removed later in the
day.

A fortnight passed, and the Mumfords once more lived in
enjoyment of tranquillity, though Emmeline could not quite recover
her old self. They never spoke of the dread experiences through
which they had gone. Mumford's holiday time approached, and they
were making arrangements for a visit to the seaside, when one
morning a carrier's cart delivered a large package, unexpected and
of unknown contents. Emmeline stripped off the matting, and found--a
drawing-room screen, not unlike that which she had lost in the
fire. Of course it came from Louise, and, though she professed
herself very much annoyed, Mrs. Mumford had no choice but to
acknowledge it in a civil little note addressed to Coburg Lodge.

They were away from home for three weeks. On returning, Emmeline
found a letter which had arrived for her the day before; it was from
Louise, and announced her marriage. 'Dear Mrs. Mumford,--I know
you'll be glad to hear it's all over. It was to have been at the end
of October, when our house was ready for us. We have taken a very
nice one at Holloway. But of course something happened, and mother
and Cissy and I quarrelled so dreadfully that I went off and took a
lodging. And then Tom said that we must be married at once; and so
we were, without any fuss at all, and I thin