well your first night at Hartley's Glen?"

"Oh, yes! I slept very sound indeed," said Hilda, lightly. And then,
coming close up to Dame Hartley, she said in an altered tone, and with
heightened color: "Nurse Lucy, I did not behave well last night, and I
want to tell you that I am sorry. I am not like mamma, but I want to
grow a little like her, if I can, and you must help me, please!"

Her voice faltered, and good Nurse Lucy, laying down her mop, took the
slender figure in her motherly arms, from which it did not now shrink
away.

"My lamb!" she said; "Miss Mildred's own dear child! You look liker your
blessed mother this minute than I ever thought you would. Help you? That
I will, with all my heart!--though I doubt if you need much help, coming
to yourself so soon as this. Well, well!"

"Coming to herself!" It was the same phrase the good dame had used the
night before, and it struck Hilda's mind with renewed force. Yes, she
had come to herself,--her new self, which was to be so different from
the old. How strange it all was! What should she do now, to prove the
new Hilda and try her strength? Something must be done at once; the time
for folded hands and listless revery was gone by.

"Shall I--may I help you to get breakfast?" she asked aloud, rather
timidly.

"Breakfast? Bless you, honey, we had breakfast two hours ago. We farmers
are early birds, you know. But you can lay a plate and napkin for
yourself, if you like, while I drop a couple of fresh eggs and toast a