CHAPTER X.
TWO DOORS The enthusiasm, the expectation in Mrs.Deo's voice were unmistakable.
This good woman believed in this rescued waif of turbulent caprices and gipsy ways, and from this moment he began to believe in her too, and consequently to share some of the excitement which had now become prevalent all through the house.
His suspense was destined to be short.

While he was straining his eyes to see what might be going on down the road, a small crowd of people came round the corner of the house.

In their midst walked a woman with a shawl or cape over her head--a fierce and wilful figure which shook off the hand kind Mrs.Deo laid on her arm, and shrank as the great front door fell open, sending forth a flood of light which, to one less wedded to wild ways and outdoor living, promised a hospitable cheer.
"Georgian's form!" muttered Ransom involuntarily to himself.

"And Georgian's face!" he felt obliged to add, as the light fell broadly across her.

"But not Georgian's ways and not Georgian's nature," he impetuously finished as she slipped out of sight.
Then the mystery of _the brother_ came rushing over him and he yielded himself again to the wonder of the situation till he was reawakened to realities by the shuffling of feet on the stairway and the raised tones of Mrs.Deo as she tried to make herself understood by her new and somewhat difficult guest.