id Orion; "it's all about me, and I'm
'mensely inte'sted."

"Very well, Orion. The King of Chios did not want his daughter to
marry you."

"Good gracious!" muttered Mrs. Dolman in the doorway.

"So he let you fall sound asleep," continued Iris, in her calm voice.
None of the children had yet seen the stout personage on the threshold
of the room. "He let you fall very sound asleep, having given you some
strong wine."

"What next?" thought Mrs. Dolman.

"And when you were very sound asleep indeed, he put out both your
eyes. When you awoke you found yourself quite blind, and did not know
what to do or where to go. Suddenly, in the midst of your misery, you
heard the sound of a blacksmith's forge. Guided by the noise, you
reached the place and begged the blacksmith to climb on your
shoulders, and so lend you his eyes to guide you. The blacksmith was
willing to do it, and seated himself on your shoulders. Then you said,
'Guide me to the place where I can see the first sunbeam that rises in
the east over the sea,' and--"

"Yes," said Orion, whose breath was coming quickly, "yes; and what
happened to me then?"

"Nonsense, little boy! Don't you listen to another word of that
folly," said a very strong, determined voice.

All the children turned abruptly.

"Oh, _she_ has come bothering!" said Diana.

But the other three had started to their feet, and a flush rose into
Iris' pale face.

CHAPTER V.

AUNT IS HER NAME.

"Aunt is her name," said Diana, "and I don't think much of her."

Mrs. Dolman strode rapidly into the nursery.

"Yes, children," she said, "I am your aunt--your Aunt Jane Dolman,
your father's only sister. Circumstances prevented my coming to see
your father and mother for several years; but now that God has seen
fit to give you this terrible affliction, and has taken your dear
mother to Himself, I have arrived, determined to act a mother's part
to you. I do not take the least notice of what that rude little girl
says. When I have had her for a short time under my own control, she
will know better. Now, one of you children, please have the politeness
to offer me a chair, and then you can come up one by one and kiss me."

Iris was so much petrified that she could not stir. Diana and Orion
came close together, and Diana flung her stout little arm round
Orion's fat neck. Apollo, however, sprang forward and placed a chair
for his aunt.

"Will you sit here, please, Aunt Jane Dolman?" he sai