, no doubt, sir," said Miss Owen,
jumping to her feet, with a merry laugh; "and quite right too."

Tommy was horrified at the bare suggestion of such a thing. He begged her
to sit down again, and she laughingly complied, insisting that he should
sit in the opposite chair. Presently John came in, and stood looking
calmly on. He was visited by no disturbing memories. Having chatted gaily,
for a few minutes, with the two little men, Miss Owen took her leave.

"It's all so strange!" she thought, as the carriage bore her swiftly away.

Then she knitted her brows, and clenched her hands in her lap.

"Oh," she half-audibly exclaimed, "what if I _have_ been here before? What
if----" and she shivered with the excitement of the thought.

* * * * *

As for Tommy Dudgeon, all his doubts were put to flight at last.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

A "FATHER" AND "MOTHER" FOR THE "HOME."

About six weeks after this, the old Hall at Daisy Lane was ready for
opening as a "Home" for waifs and strays. "Cobbler" Horn had visited Daisy
Lane, from time to time, and he had also taken his sister and his young
secretary to see the village and the old Hall. He had been much pleased
with the progress of the improvements, and had marked with satisfaction
the transformation which, in pursuance of his orders, was being effected
in the Hall. It was clear that Mr. Gray was not only a most capable agent,
but also a man after his employer's own heart; and it was evident that
Messrs. Tongs and Ball had assisted the agent in every possible way.

The old Hall seemed likely to become an ideal Children's Home. The
arrangements were most complete. A staff of capable nurses, and a bevy of
maid-servants, had been engaged; to whom were added a porter and two boys,
together with a head gardener and three assistants, to make, and keep,
beautiful the spacious grounds.

A number of children had already been selected as inmates of the "Home."
Setting aside the majority of the appeals, which had been many, from
relatives who had children left on their hands by deceased parents,
"Cobbler" Horn had adhered to his original purpose of receiving chiefly
stray children--little ones with no friends, and without homes. With the
aid of his lawyers, and of Mr. Durnford, he had much communication with
workhouse and parish authorities, and even with the police; and, as the
opening day of the "Home" dre