e dear Aunt Betty she was so longing to see--was on the lawn,
cutting roses. Without a word, she broke away from her companions and
flew across the lawn.

'Wright,' exclaimed Lord Lynwood, hastily following; 'my aunt has been
seriously ill with anxiety about my little girl, and we are afraid of a
sudden shock for her. Come, we may be wanted.'

Estelle, unconscious of all but that Aunt Betty was there, was calling
out in glad tones which made the little old lady turn hastily.

Fortunately, joy does not often kill. Though faint and unable to stand
the first excitement, Aunt Betty recovered herself more quickly than
Lord Lynwood could have expected. Jack thought he had never seen anybody
quite like Aunt Betty--he had not known that any such existed. He had
made up his mind to tell the truth about himself to Estelle's aunt, but
now that he saw her he did not feel the shrinking he had anticipated.
'She would understand,' was the way he expressed it.

Lord Lynwood, fearful of over-excitement for her, insisted on Lady Coke
going into the house with Estelle. She consented, after making Jack
promise to come and relate to her all the wonderful things which had
happened in those long months of Estelle's absence.

'Auntie,' said Estelle, as she sat on a low stool--low enough to let her
look up into the face of her aunt, lying on her sofa--'if I have a lot
to tell you, you must have a great deal to tell me; and, chiefly, why it
is you look like that. Are you ill?'

'I have been, with grief and anxiety about you, Estelle. But I shall get
quite strong now you are at home again. I don't know how to be grateful
enough to the good God Who has guarded you from harm all this long
time, and to the kind people who have been such friends in need.'

'And have taught me such a lot of things, Auntie. You must meet Goody
some day, and then you will know what a dear she is, and how good she
is. She has been such a mother to me! And Auntie,' she continued, with
some hesitation, 'Jack is going to tell you something by-and-by,
something which has made him dreadfully miserable. And if you are
grateful to him and to his mother for all they have done for me, you can
repay some of it by helping him in his trouble. Father says it is not
necessary for everybody to know; only ourselves, and those whom Jack has
bound himself to tell.'

Thus Estelle prepared the way for the confession which took place that
evening. By dint of great persuasion, Lord Ly