She only expected one, but that one was to tell her of Leonard.

She, however, received two; the unexpected one was from Mr Bradshaw, and the news it contained was, if possible, a greater surprise than the letter itself.

Mr Bradshaw informed her, that he planned arriving by dinner-time the following Saturday at Eagle's Crag; and more, that he intended bringing Mr Donne and one or two other gentlemen with him, to spend the Sunday there! The letter went on to give every possible direction regarding the household preparations.

The dinner-hour was fixed to be at six; but, of course, Ruth and the girls would have dined long before.

The (professional) cook would arrive the day before, laden with all the provisions that could not be obtained on the spot.