Doctor Frank stood with a smile on his face, enjoying Mrs.Stanford's consternation.

Another second and she was clasped in the lady's arms.
"Rose! Rose! My dear little sister!" "Kate!" Rose murmured, faintly, all white and trembling.
Kate looked up at the smiling face of the Doctor, a new light dawning on her.
"Oh, he has never told you! For shame, Frank, to shock her so! My darling, did you not know I was here ?" "No; he never told me," Rose said, sinking into a chair, and looking hopelessly at her sister.

"What does it mean, Kate?
Is papa here ?" "I leave the onerous duty of explaining everything to you, Kate," said the Doctor, before Kate could reply.

"I am going down stairs to smoke." "That provoking fellow!" Kate said, smilingly, looking after him; "it is just like him." "Is papa here ?" Rose repeated, wonderingly.
"No, my dear; papa is at Danton Hall, with his wife.

It was impossible for him to come." "Then how do you happen to be here, and with Doctor Frank ?" Kate laughed--such a sweet, clear, happy laugh--as she kissed Rose's wondering face.
"For the very best reason in the world, Mrs.Stanford! Because I happen to be Doctor Frank's wife!" Rose sat, confounded, speechless--literally struck dumb--staring helplessly.
"His wife!" she repeated.