They were interrupted by Mrs. Fairchild, who came to tell them that their grandmother had asked for them. Mrs. Fairchild walked first, and opened the drawing-room door; there they saw their grandmother. She was a neat little old lady in black, exactly such as they fancied
Mrs. Howard had been. She was seated, and looked very pale. At the sight of them she became paler than before; she held out her hands to them, and they all three rushed into her arms.
"My children, my precious children!" said the old lady, kissing one and another as they pressed forward.
"We will be your own grandchildren," said Lucy; "we will comfort you and read to you, and do everything for you. Do not be unhappy, dear grandmamma, we will all be your own children."
The old lady was scarcely able to speak, but she murmured to herself:
"Yes, my God is good, I am not left without comfort."
"Stand back, my dears," said Mrs. Fairchild, "and let your grandmamma look at you quietly—you overpower her."
They drew back. The old lady wiped away a tear or two which dimmed her sight, and then, with a gentle smile, she looked first at Lucy.
"She has the oval face and gentle look so dear to me," said the old lady; "this is Lucy. Will Lucy love me?"
The little girl, being thus called upon, fell again on grandmamma's neck, and quite sobbed with feeling; she soon, however, recovered herself, and pointing to her sister: