"They are shyer than I am." The elderly ladies came forward and spoke their pleasant words of congratulation.

Mrs.Holmes and others, encouraged, followed their example.

Mrs.Boyce suddenly swooped from the platform into the middle of the group and kissed Betty, who emerged from the excited lady's embrace blushing furiously.

She shook hands with Betty's aunts and thanked them for their presence; and in the old lady's mind the reconciliation of the two houses was complete.

Then, with cheeks of a more delicate natural pink than any living valetudinarian of her age could boast of, and with glistening eyes, she made her way to me, and reaching up and drawing me down, kissed me, too.
While all this was going on, the body of the hall began to empty.