Everything was ready in good time, Mr. Hazeltine was invited to dinner, and a hint was given to his wife.
At seven o'clock on Thursday evening most of the party had assembled, and the Hazeltine house was pervaded by an air of expectancy.
In the place of honor in the long drawing-room sat Miss Brown, who could not resist the united urging of Aunt Zélie and the girls.
"We arranged this corner just for you," said Bess, coming to greet her as soon as she was seated. "We knew you would look like a picture in it."
Miss Brown laughed and said that would be a new sensation, as she had never before been a picture.
"Oh, yes, you have been, but perhaps you didn't know it!" said Louise. "This time you are to know it, and every one is to admire you, for you are part of our decorations; I am glad you wore that lovely shawl."
She made a picture, truly, with her bright eyes and snowy hair against the crimson velvet of the chair, a delicate white lace shawl over her dark dress, and a copper lamp with a deep rose-colored shade throwing a soft radiance about her.
"And here is somebody to keep you company," said Bess, bringing Aunt Zélie to sit beside her.
Mrs. Howard's eyes followed lovingly her two pretty nieces as they danced away to join the group around the afghan.
"I wonder," said Miss Brown, watching them, "what difference it would have made in me if I had had such a home when I was a child."