Norah caught the sound in the next room, where she dozed upon her pillow, and hurried in.
"What, darling! sitting up in your nightgown, catching cold at the open window?" and she carried her in her strong arms to the bed and piled the snowy covers over the shivering form. "Did you have dreams that frightened you, pet?" she continued, as she warmed the cold little hands between her own.
Precious, trying to hush her hysteric sobs, murmured faintly:
"I have never been asleep, Norah. I was sitting at the window watching the beautiful stars, and thinking—of many things. Then I grew sad—I do not know why—and—and the tears came. I think I am homesick. I want papa and mamma. I have been so long away from them."
"I will write to Mrs. Winans to-morrow, and tell her she must come to Rosemont very soon—that you are lonely."
"Yes, I am lonely," sighed Precious, all unconscious that it was the restlessness of an awakening young heart.
She fell asleep presently with the dew of tears still on her lashes—slept, and dreamed fantastic dreams, in which she saw Ladybird married to Lord Chester, and Ethel drowning in the river, and herself and Kay perishing again in the burning house.