Her darling’s tears alarmed her; and, going to Dora, she took her in her arms, and fondly kissed away the bright drops as they fell.
For a few minutes Dora could not answer, for her sobs.
But at length she suddenly sat up, and wiping her eyes, said earnestly, looking her aunt in the face:
“Auntie, am I very much changed since you took me to live with you?”
“Yes, dear, I think you are a good deal changed about many things; still you have many of your girlish ways and looks about you even now. You are Dora yet, but with considerable development, and a good deal of polish added. But why do you ask me such a question, my love?”
“Because—because——”
She hesitated a moment, deeply confused, then went on.
“Do you think if a friend had not seen me for six years, he would know me now?”
“What do you mean, Dora? Did you ever know Mr. Ellerton when he was a boy?” asked madam, suddenly, a light breaking in upon her mind, and half explaining Dora’s sadness.
“Answer me, please, auntie, and then I will tell you what I mean,” pleaded Dora, earnestly, her cheeks taking a still deeper hue.