Lettie took the basket obediently, and stood close to the door, which was left merely on the latch. She peeped inside, and wondered at the nice rolls and the pat of beautiful butter which met her gaze; but she was far too timid to venture to take any.
Suddenly a lady came down the stairs and passed towards the door of a room. She paused a moment, turning with a sweet sad smile to look at the little ragged figure standing there. But it was a smile that changed all at once—changed suddenly and strangely—changed to something that Lettie could not understand. A livid whiteness came over the lady's face; a hoarse shriek echoed wildly through the house; and throwing up her hands convulsively in the air, she fell senseless to the ground.
Lettie could not stand that! Without a moment's consideration, and before she knew what she was doing, she had rushed out of the house, and fled at full speed down the street—quite unconsciously grasping still her basket of eatables. Nor did she once slacken speed, or dream of turning back, till she again reached home.
[CHAPTER XIX.]
LITTLE VI.
"LEVESON!" and with a cry of joy Josie sprang to meet her brother. "Oh, how glad I am that you have come at last!"
"Why, Josie, my dear little Josie, I am sorry I said anything to you of my secret, if it has agitated you like this," said Leveson. "And I have nothing but disappointment for you."
"About Vi—then you know it wasn't her?"