"I wonder who will do the music and dancing!"

The next morning, the instant her breakfast was over, Milly obtained
nurse's permission to go down to the keeper's cottage under charge of
Sarah, the nursery maid. She was away the whole morning, and about one
o'clock a message came from Mrs. Maxwell to ask if she might stay to
dinner with them. So that it was not till nearly four in the afternoon
that she was brought up to the house, and then, flushed and excited, she
poured into her nurse's ear a long account of all that she had been
hearing and doing.

"Now, come, my dear, you mustn't talk forever," was nurse's remonstrance
at last; "Sir Edward told me I could send you to him for a little when
you came in, and I must make you tidy first."

It was quite dusk when Milly entered the library, but the bright
firelight showed her the figure of her uncle leaning back in his easy
chair, and indulging in a reverie.

"Well," he said, looking round, "where have you been all day? Down at
Maxwell's, I suppose?"

"Yes," said Milly, sedately; "and I'll tell you all about it, if you
like. May I make myself comfortable first?"

And after a minute's hesitation she climbed into the heavy armchair on
the opposite side of the fireplace, making a pretty picture, as she
leaned her curly head back on the cushion and gazed earnestly into her
uncle's face.