satisfaction that already the change of air, together with the
excitement of the occasion, had flushed her cheeks with colour; she
was looking her best. She walked to the window and looked in the
direction of her old home, which was on a slight eminence about a
mile from where she stood: were the time of year other than summer,
its familiar outlines would not have been obscured by foliage. Mavis
sighed, turned her back on the window and walked towards the
fireplace; something moving in the cool, carefully shaded room
caught her eye. It was the propitiatory wagging of a black, cocker
spaniel's tail, while its eyes were looking pleadingly up to her.
Mavis loved all animals; in a moment the spaniel was in her lap, her
arms were about its neck, and she was pressing her soft, red lips to
its head. The dog received these demonstrations of affection with
delight; although it pawed and clawed the only decent frock which
Mavis possessed, she did not mind a bit.

"I shall be here a long time and we shall always be the best of
friends," murmured Mavis, as she pressed the affectionate animal to
her heart.

Mavis waited half an hour in the drawing-room before anyone came.

Victoria was the first to join her; she entered the room with a
frank smile, together with an apology for having kept Mavis waiting.
The latter took to Miss Devitt at once, congratulating herself on
her good fortune at the prospect of living with such congenial
companions as Miss Devitt and the dog. Victoria explained that her
brother's illness was responsible for Mavis having been treated with
apparent neglect.