"How long a talk do you want with your friend to-day, Elsie ?" he asked.
"Oh, just as long as I can be allowed, papa!" she cried, with much of the old childish eagerness.
"Then the sooner you begin, the better, I think, for we ought to be on our way to Roselands in an hour, or an hour and a quarter at the farthest." Upon that the gentlemen retired to the library to talk over business matters, and Mrs.Carrington led the way for Elsie to Lucy's room.

But pausing in the upper hall, she took the young girl in her arms, folding her in a close, loving embrace, and heaping upon her tearful, tender, silent caresses.
"My poor boy! my poor dear Herbert," she murmured at length, as she released her hold.

"Darling, I can never forget that you might have been my daughter.

But there--I will leave you.

Lucy occupies her old rooms, and yonder is her door; you know the way." "But come in with me, dear Mrs.Carrington," urged Elsie, the tears shining in her eyes.
"No, dear, not just yet.