handsome mamma-in-law I have," said Mrs. Fred, caressingly: she rather
liked her mother-in-law, and felt it was as well to be on affectionate
terms with her.

"No, my dear; my head is not quite free from pain, and I want to give
Katherine something to eat when she comes in; she will be very hungry.
Then I can see that the children do not get into any mischief in the
garden."

The younger lady then went to pose herself with a dainty piece of
fancy-work in the drawing-room, and the elder to sit at her
writing-table, pen in hand, but not writing; only thinking round and
round the circle of difficulties which hedged her in, and longing for
the sight of her daughter's face.

At last it beamed upon her through the open door-window which led out on
the stairway to the garden; her approach had been seen by her little
nephews, who had admitted her through the back gate.

"You must not come in now, dears; I want to talk to grannie. If you keep
away I will tell you a nice story in the evening."

"My dearest child, what has kept you? I have been uneasy; and how
dreadfully tired you look!"

"I am tired, but that is nothing. I think, dear, I have a little good
news for you."

"Come into the dining-room. I have some dinner for you, and we can talk
quietly. Ada is expecting a visitor."