She and I, you know, are sworn friends!" Mrs Strong smiled; and, if the Captain had called her voice a sweet one, he could find no words in which to describe the light that stole into her eyes, irradiating the face now.
"I see you can pay compliments, Captain Dresser, although you are not an Irishman," she said pleasantly, caressing Nell, who in the joy of seeing her mother again had never left her side.

"I suppose that's the reason this young lady has lost her heart to you ?" "You'd better be wary of him, Edith," interposed Mrs Gilmour jokingly.
"He's a terrible old flirt with all the ladies, young and old alike! But, wouldn't you like to go upstairs and take your things off ?" "No, thanks, not till it's time for bed; and, it must be very near that now." "Oh, the day's yet young!" cried her hospitable hostess, leading the way back into the parlour.

"We didn't expect you before to-morrow, or next day at the earliest; and Nell, indeed, stopped in all the morning to finish her letter in time, so that you could get it to-night in London, as she thought.

Still, my dear, I dare say we'll be able to find you something to eat, and your rooms shall be got ready for you as soon as possible." "Please, mum," said Sarah, who was still waiting in the hall, at hand for whatever the guests might need, "they are quite ready, mum!" "Ready!" repeated Mrs Gilmour surprised.

"The spare rooms ?" "Yes, mum," replied Sarah, dropping a curtsey, with the proud consciousness of having done well in her mistress's sight.