"Yes Sir, I will; but oh! what a time you have been, and how she will scold me for being so late, because it rang out four o'clock ever such a time ago, and Edith and Alice are long gone in."
"Then do not stand talking, Fanny, but make haste in, and be careful of the flower."
"But you must please take Carlo round to the left wing door for me, as Mamma does not like his coming in this way. You see his paws are quite dirty."
"I suppose I must, but it's an intolerable nuisance."
But the dog had not the slightest idea of losing his young mistress, and being dragged off in that ignominious way, but resisted the chain with all his might.
"Suppose we undo his chain, and let him loose," suggested Robert. "I dare say Mamma will excuse his intrusion for this once."
Away went Fanny, faithfully following out the instructions she had received, and carrying the flower most carefully, when suddenly a hand grasped her shoulder rather roughly.
"Oh! cousin Frances, how you startled me!" said Fanny.
"Where are you going to with that flower?" and she pointed to the Camellia Fanny held so gently between her small fingers.