"You will be of every use, dear Sister Mildred, if only to help me with counsel," returned Mary.
"Oh, it is pleasant to be at home again," resumed the elder lady, her face beaming from under its crisp muslin cap. "The sojourn with my relatives has been delightful; but, after all, there's no place like home. And you must give me an account, dear Sisters of all that has occurred during my absence. See to the thief in the candle!"
"There's not very-much to relate, I think," observed Sister Betsey, as she attended to the thief. "We had an adventure here, though, one night. Tom Dance's son went on to the chapel ruins to shoot a sea-bird for somebody at Stilborough, and his pistol exploded, and wounded him dreadfully. He came crawling here to be taken in."
"What do you say, dear?" asked Sister Mildred, her hand to her ear. "Tom Dance brought a sea-bird here?"
"No. His son, young Dance----"
But Sister Betsey's explanation was cut short by a loud, peremptory ring at the house-bell. Rings at that time of the evening, for it was close upon nine o'clock, generally betokened notice of illness or accident. Sister Ann hastened to the door, and the others held their breath.
"Who is ill? Is any case of calamity brought in?" quickly demanded Sister Mildred on her return.
"No ill case of any kind," replied Sister Aim, as she approached Mary Ursula. "It is a visitor for you, madam."
"For me!" exclaimed Mary, feeling surprised. "Is it my uncle--Mr. Castlemaine?"
"It is Lawyer Knivett, from Stilborough," said Sister Ann. "His business is very particular, he says."