"Do you wish to go?" he inquired.
Her animated countenance, flushed with excitement, gave the answer to his question. The old man sighed a trifle sadly.
"Perhaps you won't want to come back again?" he said, watching her intently.
"Oh, yes, I shall!" she replied. "Why, Cousin Robert, what makes you think that?"
There was such evident surprise in her face that his fear was disarmed, and he said kindly, almost tenderly—
"I don't want to lose you altogether. Of course, it's quite natural you should wish to visit your aunt and uncle, and I shall be very glad for you to do so."
"Do you mean I am to go?" Mousey cried.
"Certainly. I will write to your aunt to-morrow, and tell her when she may expect you."
"Oh, Cousin Robert, thank you, thank you! Oh, how good you are to me!" and the little girl threw herself impulsively into the old man's arms, and covered his face with kisses.
"There, there, child, that will do! You're half smothering me! Why, what have I done to be treated like this? There, run away, and tell Maria she must overlook your wardrobe to-morrow, and see what you want in the way of new clothes."