dancing blue eyes would have made sunshine in any place.

She had opened the window lattice and craned her head to look down
the street; but at the sound of a footstep within doors she quickly
drew it in again, for her mother reproved her when she found her
hanging out at the window.

"What is all the stir about, mother?" she asked; "there be so many
folks abroad, and they have been passing in and out of the Assembly
Rooms for above an hour. What does it all mean? Are they baiting
the Governor again? Are they having another fight about the taxes?"

"Nay, child, I know not. I have been in the kitchen, looking to the
supper. Thy father came in awhile back, and said we had guests
arrived, and that he desired the supper to be extra good. That is
all I know."

"Something has happened, I am sure of that!" cried the girl again,
"and I would father would come and tell us what it is all about. He
always hears all the news. Perhaps the travellers he is bringing
here will know. I may sit with you at the supper table, may I not,
mother?"

"Yes, child; so your father said. He came in with a smile upon his
face. But he was in a great haste, and has been gone ever since. So
what it all means I know not."

Susanna--for such was the name of the girl--became at once
interested and excited.