Oh! Rose dear," turning quickly, as Mrs.Dinsmore and Mrs.Carrington entered, "how kind! I was coming to see you directly, but it was so good of you not to wait." Elsie was saying, "Good-morning, mamma," when her eye fell upon the other figures.

Could it be Sophie with that thin, pale face and large, sad eyes?
Sophie arrayed in widow's weeds.

All the pretty golden curls hidden beneath the widow's cap?
It was indeed, and the next instant the two were weeping in each other's arms.
"You poor, poor dear girl! God comfort you!" Elsie whispered.
"He does, He has helped me to live for my children, my poor fatherless little ones," Sophie said, amid her choking sobs.
"We must go back to father and Harold," Adelaide said presently.

"They are in the parlor, where we left them very unceremoniously." "And Harold, I know, is longing for a chat with Elsie," Sophie said.
They found the gentlemen patiently awaiting their return.

Elsie seated herself near Harold, who, somewhat recovered from his fatigue, was now able to take part in the conversation.
"You were shocked by my changed appearance ?" he said, in an undertone, as their eyes met and hers filled again.