The noise and merriment were at their height when the servant came in, and struck the whole party dumb by the announcement of visitors in the drawing-room.

"Mr.Marrable, Mrs.
Marrable, and Miss Marrable; Evergreen Lodge, Clifton." Norah rose as readily as if the new arrivals had been a relief to her mind.

Mrs.Vanstone was the next to leave her chair.

These two went away first, to receive the visitors.

Magdalen, who preferred the society of her father and Frank, pleaded hard to be left behind; but Miss Garth, after granting five minutes' grace, took her into custody and marched her out of the room.