at there would be something of Edward in looks or
manner! She was a lonely woman, living apart from her kin. To have
someone of her own would be a new and delightful experience. She felt
glad, actually _glad_ that Cornelia was coming!

Seven o'clock! At any moment now a cab might appear bearing the
expected guest from the station. Miss Briskett crossed the room to
alter the arrangement of a vase of flowers, and as she did so, the door
opened, and Mason entered carrying a telegram upon a silver salver.
Miss Briskett tore it open, and read the following message:--

"Safe and sound. Staying night in London with friends. Sight-seeing
to-morrow morning. Be with you at five. God save the Queen!--
Cornelia."

Miss Briskett's lips tightened. She folded the orange-coloured paper
and returned it to its envelope, cleared her throat and said coldly--

"Inform Heap that my niece will not arrive until to-morrow evening, and
be good enough to serve dinner at once."

Mason's face clouded with disappointment. In the kitchen Heap banged
the saucepan-lids, and wanted to know what was the use of doing your
best in a despicable world where you never got nothing for your pains!
Mary repaired dolefully upstairs to take away the hot water, and shroud
the furniture in dust-sheets; even the tweeny felt a sudden dampening of
spirits, while in the dining-room the mistress of her house sat at her
solitary meal with anger smouldering in her heart!

A delay to the boat would, of course, have been inevitable; if Cornelia
had been so fatigued that she felt it necessary to break her journey
half-way, that would have been a disappointment pure and simple, but
that the girl had _chosen_ to delay her arrival for her own amusement
and gratification, this was an offence indeed--a want of respect and
consideration well-nigh unforgivable. Staying in town with friends!--
Staying _where_?--With what friends? Doing the sights to-morrow
morning! Miss Briskett's lip curled in disdain. Then that ridiculous
ending! What would Miss Brewster, the telegraph clerk at the post-
office, think of such frivolity! In this tiny township, everyone was as
well acquainted with their neighbour's business as with their own, and
while Emily Brewster at the post-office was keenly interested in the
advent of the American visitor, Miss Briskett, in her turn, knew all
about Emily's parentage and education, the nature and peculiarities of
the diseases which s