eyes touched her to
remembrance of many grey and misty mornings, when Denis Asshlin's high,
old-fashioned trap would sweep round from the Orristown stable-yard,
and dogs such as these would plead passionately for a share in the
impending journey. A dry, painful sensation seemed to catch her throat.

"May they come with me?" she asked softly. "I love animals. I had to
send my own Irish terrier home to Ireland when I gave up my house in
Italy--and nothing has ever quite taken his place. Do let them come!
They would be so good."

The two dogs looked swiftly from her face to their master's.

But George Tuffnell pretended to be stern.

"No!" he said loudly--"no! Dick and Tom can't go to the station
to-day!"

Instantly the two tails dropped.

"Come, Myers!" he called to the groom. "Mrs. Milbanke has no time to
spare. Dick! Tom! To heel!" He winked humorously at Clodagh, as she
stepped into the trap; and a moment later the groom took his seat and
picked up the reins.

Then suddenly he broke into a shout of genial laughter.

"You villains!" he cried. "Off with you! Away with you!" And with a
yelp of wild delight, the dogs sped down the avenue.

Clodagh scarcely noticed the details of that swift drive, for a nervous
sense of excitement and trepidation banished her powers of observation.
And as she stepped from the little trap and entered the small country
station, she could scarcely command a steady voice in which to ask
whether the train was yet due.

The train proved to be over-due by three minutes, and the knowledge
brought an added qualm of apprehension.

"What if little Nance were utterly changed? What if America had spoiled
her?" But her thoughts and fears were alike broken in upon by a long,
shrill whistle; the expected train loomed round a curve in the line,
and a moment later roared its way into the station.

There was a second of uncertainty; then somewhere in the front of the
train a door was flung open, a small slight figure in a muslin dress
sped down the platform, and two warm arms were thrown about Clodagh's
neck, bridging in one moment the gulf of years.

The sisters held and kissed each other, regardless of the one or two
country passengers who had alighted from the train, and the two grooms
from Tufmell who were waiting for Nance's luggage. Then at last the
younger girl drew away; and, still holding Clodagh's hand, looked at
her intently.

"Oh, Clo!" she cried, "how lovely you are!"

At the