"Practising in the parlour, Ma'moiselle."
"Very well. Bring in the coal."
Babette disappeared, and the young lady opened her letter. It was very short.
"Montreal, November, 5, 18—.
"My Dear Grace—Kate arrived in this city a week ago, and I have remained here since to show her the sights, and let her recruit after her voyage. Ogden tells me the house is quite ready for us, so you may expect us almost as soon as you receive this. We will be down by the 7th, for certain. Ogden says that Rose is absent. Write to her to return.
"Yours sincerely,
Henry Danton."
"P. S.—Did Ogden tell you we were to have a visitor—an invalid gentleman—a Mr. Richards? Have the suite of rooms on the west side prepared for him. H. D."
The young lady refolded her note thoughtfully, and walking to the fire, stood looking with grave eyes into the glowing coals.
"So soon," she thought; "so soon; everything to be changed. What is Captain Danton's eldest daughter like, I wonder? What is the Captain like himself, and who can this invalid, Mr. Richards, be? I don't like change."
Babette came in with the coal, and Miss Grace roused herself from her reverie.