"Now then," said Mabel, when they had parted from him, "let us see which will get home first, for mamma will be glad to get this letter from aunt Villars."
Amy reached home first, but Mabel quickly followed her to the drawing-room.
"Here, mamma, is a letter from aunt Villars," said Mabel, echoed by Amy.
"From Caroline," said Mrs. Lesly, "I do not think it can be from Caroline, for there is no Bath post-mark, it comes from Cheltenham."
"Do open it mamma, and see if they are at Cheltenham," said Mabel.
"Fetch me my glasses then," returned her mother, "stay—here they are, but you must not hurry me, or my head will begin to ache again, it has been very bad all the morning."
"Oh, yes, mamma, there is plenty of time; come, Amy dear, and take your bonnet off."
Mabel had taken up her work before she again ventured to ask any questions. At length she said—
"Is aunt Villars at Cheltenham, mamma?"