Lady Janet advanced, and took her with hearty kindness by both hands.
"My dear child, welcome among us again! You have come down stairs to please me ?" She bent her head in silent acknowledgment that it was so.

Lady Janet pointed to Horace: "Here is somebody who has been longing to see you, Grace." She never looked up; she stood submissive, her eyes fixed on a little basket of colored wools which hung on her arm.

"Thank you, Lady Janet," she said, faintly.

"Thank you, Horace." Horace placed her arm in his, and led her to the sofa.

She shivered as she took her seat, and looked round her.