for children had not deserted her. She was often heard to say that she was happier with a frank, original child than she was with most grown people. Boris was certainly frank; N

o explore the tower, the old ruined chapel, where services used to be held morning and night more than three hundred years ago, the dungeon under the chapel, and all the other places of historic interest. Then the children's gardens were visited; and, finally, Annie was persuaded to seat herself in the swing and be

ver at last, a perfect su

l likely to be ba

rk night," said Bori

ke you sad; I like you with your eyes smiling and your face puckered up with

he daytime when it was so hot; but now they're lighting another bonfir

truck up Nell; "yes,

er cared to be with children unless she could s

seeing the shadow cross her face; "I sho

said

to us; you have helped us to have a beautiful

her," s

w, suppose we have a bit of fun on our own ac

aid Boris; "but across the fi

as going to try and induce you all to come back to the Grange to supper, so we three will join the

n," said Boris; "do

apped h

essy and untidy, his face was stained with fruit and his hands were dirty. Nell's blue cotton frock was also considerably out at the gathers round the

that was delightful, and in an incredibly short space of time, the three found the

e we light a great bonfire on the lawn to welcome them." But

nge were our own place we would. We'll just g

tion radiating all over his face. "She'll see that we have had our

now, and as Boris finished his speech they cam

anding, and instead of solitude they found

eam, and pushing aside Boris, who was prepared to rush into her arm

s nearly quite killed Nora." Her poor little voice broke with these last words,

said Annie, kneeling down and putti

's carriage," shouted B

so early from the

bbed on unab

ot, flushed, little face on Annie's neck and wetted her frill with her plent

, "they'll tell us; oh, and there's Nan, too. Hullo

ed up ex

said she'd better come here, and she's lying in the library and Dr. Jervis is there. I haven't the faintest idea how it happened," c

d her face and looked at Annie

to Nan when Hester ca

anxious about you; and poor Nora has been hurt, and Kitty seems in trouble

minute; the rich colour mantled her che

ee how I am to blame. From your manner, Nan, and yours, He

oined Hester. "What does it matter, Hetty, when we are all so awf

myself to be let alone. I must find out what I'm accused of. Kitt

said Molly, turning away

facing Annie, and the boys, Guy and H

itty," sa

hat you was grown up and we needn't fret; and Nan said you was nothing if you wasn't unexpected; so nobody fretted, and I kept my secret locked up tight. But Nora wanted you more than the others, and she saw my lips shut tight and my eyes watching for you through the trees, and she guessed I had a secret; and I said I had, but I wouldn't tell; and she said she'd take me to mother, and that mother would make me tell, and so I climbed up into the beech-tree to get away from her; and I was naughty and cross, and she was naughty and cross, too, and

all?" s

replied Kitty. "I d

I did not remember that I might get you into trouble, Kitty; it d

lucky to be just decently honourable. We don't tell lies

broke my word," said Annie. "Yes, I

e, and, plunging into the s

g to follow her. "I knew it would cut her to the heart, but it can't be helped. She'll

the deepest consolation to her; she walked away with him slowly, and Nell took Hester

us? Oh, Hetty, it's worse than the colts! Oh, I felt bad this morning, but

ctor's opinion. Your father and mother are both with Nora; and Dr. Jervis is there and Jane. Everything is being done that

clasped her arms round her neck, and shed a few of those silent, rare tears which only came

o live through this sus

he spoke it c

He strode quickly through the hall, and entered the porch where the thre

" she

was very pale, and a sudden contrac

o be as cheerful as we can and not break down

r?" asked Molly. "What

wishes us to get Dr. Bentinck from London to see her, and I am going to drive to Nortonbury to telegraph to him to come at onc

not stay?"

l stay and help your mother to-night until we can get the services of a proper

brougham and was driven rapidly away.

test and the prettiest of us all. Nothing ever seemed to happe

r to-morrow, I am

uld only stay here,

ld, Molly, with

on at the Towers," continued Molly. "I

nd tell you, and perhaps something may be a

help mother far better than Jane can. But ther