At this Ladybird flew back to Miss Priscilla, and was clasped in her arms. But Miss Dorinda, holding Lavinia Lovell by the hand, said:
“Sister, you love Ladybird, and so do I; but this child is Lavinia Lovell, the daughter of our sister Lavinia; and while we can love Ladybird as a friend, and as an outside interest, yet here is our niece, here is our inheritance, and to her is due our affection.”
Miss Priscilla, still holding Ladybird in her arms, said:
“Let her then prove herself worthy of it.”
“No, aunty,” said Ladybird, rousing herself, “no; that is not necessary. If Lavinia Lovell is your niece, and she is, then her place is here and my place is not.”
“What are you going to do, baby?” said Miss Priscilla, kissing Ladybird with unusual tenderness.
“Well,” said Ladybird, judiciously, as one who was thinking out a great problem—“well, I don’t know; but I think I shall go to live with Chester and Stella.”
“You couldn’t do better,” said Aunt Priscilla, laughing.
“Will you come, too?” said Ladybird, patting Miss Priscilla’s apple-cheek.
“Yes,” said Miss Priscilla; but nobody heard her except Ladybird, for Mr. Ward had already begun to speak.