Beryl found a pleasant surprise awaiting her on her return from visiting Mr. Gilbank, in the shape of a kind note from Miss Burton inviting her pupils to spend a long day with her at her home. No prospect could have seemed more delightful to the two children, and when the day arrived, they enjoyed it fully as much as they expected.
Space does not permit us to dwell upon the pleasures of that long day at Hampstead—the kindness of Miss Burton's mother and sisters, the freedom in which they were allowed to make acquaintance with every corner of the little old-fashioned house, and the delightful ramble over Hampstead Heath, which set the children longing to return to the country.
Too quickly the day passed. As they came back from their walk, their tongues still busy—for it seemed as if they could never say all they wanted to Miss Burton—they were dismayed to find Mrs. Everard's carriage already awaiting them at the gate of the cottage.
"We told Lucy not to come till nine," they said; "and it is not nine yet."
But, to their surprise, it was not Lucy, but Mr. Hollys, who had come to fetch them. They found him in the little drawing-room talking to Mrs. Burton. He had come, he said, in order to have a few words with Miss Burton. He wanted to make arrangements for the children's return home with her early in the following week.
"Oh, are we going home?" exclaimed both the children at once. "That will be nice!"
"Well, I never!" exclaimed Mr. Hollys. "What strange creatures children are! You were glad enough to come away, and now you are just as delighted to go back."
"Oh, but you know, papa," said Beryl, "there is no place like home."
Little Coral was wearied with her long day of enjoyment, and as they drove home she fell asleep in her corner of the carriage. But Beryl was wide awake, and her mind working busily. Suddenly she perceived that this was a favourable opportunity of putting to her father a question she had resolved to ask him, though she had much dread of what his answer might be.
She leaned forward and gently touched his hand to attract his attention.