The little girl's face was rosy with anticipation, and actually Grannie had a pink flush on her cheeks. Molly, who happened to be in the room, was equally interested and curious. The progress of undoing all the folds of paper was rather slow, owing to Ella's crippled arm, but at last it was accomplished. And there, disclosed to view, was a pretty, warm navy blue frock. Not only this, but there was a muff and a fur besides, and, to crown it all, a scarlet tam o' shanter.
Surely there never was such a happy little "Cinderella!"
Grannie was now looking quite white, but she uttered no word until Molly had gone out of the room.
Then she said, and, alas! there was no pleasure in her tones—
"I'm afraid, Ella, this has come from Mrs. Snowden. I never thought that she would so far insult me and mine."
All Ella's joy faded for the while at the sight of her grandmother's displeasure. Then again her little face lighted up.
"No, no, it isn't," she cried, suddenly making a correct guess. "It's Dr. Carteret; I know it is. He said I was to picture him as my Fairy Godmother, and I just laughed at him."
Grannie's face cleared.
"You don't mind him, Grannie dear, do you?" went on the child pleadingly. "I'm sure he only meant it kindly, and, you see, he can't forget about father saving his life."
"No, child," said Mrs. Russell; "I don't mind Dr. Carteret so much, if it is really he who has sent you such a useful present. We must try and find out."