"As sure as anything, it is little Emma!" and came over to her with both hands stretched out.
"Oh, Sam! Can it be really you?"
"Were not you, then, expecting me?"
"Not until to-morrow. How came you a day sooner?"
"I met Tom Musgrave in Guildford, and he drove me over in his curricle. He will be staying here for a couple of days, and is coming this evening to wait on you and Jane—but let me look at you properly! You have got your nice little brown face still, I see; and I dare say you have that fine little vixenish temper that you used to have—I vow you gave me a famous slap the last time I had the honour of seeing you!"
"No doubt it was the price of you, sir! and I shall give you another, if you do not be careful!"
Before very long, Jane came into the room and affected a great start of surprise on seeing Sam and Emma sitting on the sofa together.
"Good Lord, Sam!" she cried. "I thought you must be one of Emma's lovers come after her!"
"Has she so many as all that?—I protest I must look into this!" he replied, laughing; then seeing a shade on Emma's face, he easily turned the conversation by enquiring for Robert, and begging that little Augusta might be sent for.
In the course of the evening, Tom Musgrave arrived, and was received with great cordiality by Robert and Jane.