Her heart had yearned to the girl ever since she had heard of her sudden bereavement, and her delight at the thought of receiving her was only second to her sorrow upon Stella's account.
Higher up the hill stood the dainty bungalow which Ralph Dacre had taken for his bride.

The thought of it tore Mrs.Ralston's tender heart.

She had written an urgent epistle to Tommy imploring him not to let his sister go there in her desolation.

And, swayed by Tommy's influence, and, it might be, touched by Mrs.Ralston's own earnest solicitude, Stella, not caring greatly whither she went, had agreed to take up her abode for a time at least with the surgeon's wife.

There was no necessity to make any sudden decision.