Standing there with her dishevelled hair, her flushed cheeks, her sparkling eyes and her quaint gown, Ralph thought her the most beautiful creature he had ever gazed upon.
"How do you do, Mr.Haverley ?" said Dora, advancing and extending her hand; "I know you are not willing to eat with cooks, but I do not believe you will object to shaking hands with one, now and then." Ralph arose, and took her hand, but she gave him no opportunity to say anything.
"Your sister and I got up this little bit of deception for you, Mr.
Haverley," she continued, "and we intended to carry it on a good deal further, but that gentleman has spoiled it all, and I want you to know that I stopped here to see your sister, and finding she had not a soul to help her, I would not leave her in such a plight, and we had a royal good time, getting the supper, and were going to do ever so many more things--I should like to know, doctor, how you knew me.

I am sure I did not look a bit like myself." "You did not look like yourself, but you walked like yourself," replied Dr.Tolbridge.

"I watched you when you first tried to toddle alone, and I have seen you nearly every day since, and I know your way of stepping about as well as I know anything.

But I must really apologize for having spoiled the fun.

I discovered you, Dora, before we had half finished supper, but I thought the trick was being played on me alone.