y and went on to Lytton Lodge, where they arrived
just about noon.

John Lytton was evidently on the lookout for his niece, for as the
pony-carriage drove up, amid the barking of all the dogs and the
shouting of all the little negroes, he rushed out of the house, throwing
up his arms; and he caught Laura and lifted her bodily from her seat,
roaring his welcome.

And Laura, as she returned his honest, hearty greeting, felt a twinge of
self-reproach in remembering with what reluctance she had come.

Uncle John took her into the house and set her down in the hall in the
midst of all her relations, who had crowded there to welcome here.

"Lor-lor-lor', John! How dare you ma-ma-make so free as that with Laura,
and she a young 'oman?" exclaimed old Mrs. Lytton, as, in her well-known
faded calico gown and long-eared muslin cap, she came up and kissed her
granddaughter.

"Why, because she _is_ a young 'oman, of course, and not an old man!"
said John, saucily.

"Why, how much you have improved, child!" said Miss Molly Moss, smiling
blandly.

"Oh, a'n't she though, neither?" exclaimed Octy and Ulky in a breath, as
they seized her hands, the one clinging to her right and the other to
her left.

"Come, now, I think you had better let Laura go upstairs and take off
her bonnet and things. Dinner's all ready to go on the table. And I
reckon her appetite is ready also. And, Jacky, you had better go out and
tell John Brooks to put up and feed them horses," said practical Aunt
Kitty, as she took and faced Laura about toward the spare bed-room that
was on the first floor.

"Uncle wrote me that my brother was here. But I don't see him," said
Laura as she laid off her bonnet.

"No; he and Charley went to Perch Point fishing yesterday, intending to
stay all night and come back this morning. I reckon they'll soon be
here," said Aunt Kitty.

Laura washed her face and hands and brushed her hair, put on clean
collar and cuffs, and declared herself ready to join the family.

Even as she spoke there was the hilarious bustle of an arrival in the
hall outside.

And as Laura emerged from the room she was caught in the arms of her
brother Alden.

"My darling sister, I am so delighted to see you!" said the young man,
kissing her joyously.

"So am I to see you, Alden, dear. But why didn't you accept Mrs.
Cavendish's invitation to come and join our Easter party at Blue
Cliffs?" inquired Laura.

"My dear, because I thought my duty c