"Thank Heaven, there's no harm done; he sha'n't see the carriage." "Dear me, nurse," said Mary, "all this time I'm longing to see him." "Well, you shall see him, if you won't own to having been a night from home." Mary promised, and went eagerly to Mr.Hope.It did not come natural to her to be afraid of him, and she was impatient for the day to come when she might tell him the whole story.

The reception he gave her was not of a nature to discourage this feeling; his pale face--for he had been very ill--flushed at sight of her, his eyes poured affection upon her, and he held out both hands to her.

"This the pale girl they frightened me about!" said he.

"Why, you're like the roses in July." "That's partly with seeing of you, sir," said Mrs.Easton, quietly following, "but we do take some credit to ourselves too; for Miss Mary _was_ rather pale when she came here a week ago; but la, young folks want a change now and then." "Nurse," said Mary, "I really was not well, and you have done wonders for me, and I hope you won't think me ungrateful, but I _must_ go home with Mr.Hope." Hope's countenance flushed with delight, and Mrs.Easton saw in a moment that Mary's affection was co-operating with her prudence.

"I thought that would be her first word, sir," said she.