"Rachel!" called Grace. "Come, there's a letter, a letter from Fanny

herself for you. Make haste, mamma is so nervous till you read it."

No exhortation was needed to make Rachel hurry to the drawing-room, and

tear open the black-edged letter with the Australian stamp.

"All is right, mamma. She has been very ill, but is fast recovering, and

was to sail by the Voluta. Why, she may be here any day."

"Any day! My dear Grace, see that the nurseries are well aired."

"No, mother, she says her party is too large, and wants us to take a

furnished house for her to come into at once--Myrtlewood if possible. Is

it let, Grace?"

"I think I saw the notice in the window yesterday."

"Then, I'll go and see about it at once."

"But, my dear, you don't really mean that poor dear Fanny thinks of

coming anywhere but to us?" said her mother, anxiously.

"It is very considerate of her," said Grace, "with so many little

children. You would find them too much for you, dear mother. It is just

like Fanny to have thought of it. How many are there, Rachel?"

"Oh! I can't tell. They got past my reckoning long ago. I only know they

are all boys, and that this baby is a girl."

"Baby! Ah, poor Fanny, I feared that was the reason the did not come

sooner."

"Yes, and she has been very ill; she always is, I believe, but there

is very little about it. Fanny never could write letters; she only just

says: 'I have not been able to attempt a letter sooner, though my dear

little girl is five weeks old to-day. Think of the daughter coming at

last, too late for her dear father, who had so wished for one. She is

very healthy, I am thankful to say; and I am now so much better, that

the doctor says I may sail next week. Major Keith has taken our cabins,

in the Voluta, and soon after you receive this, I hope to be showing you

my dear boys. They are such good, affectionate fellows; but I am afraid

they would be too much for my dear aunt, and our party is so large, so

the Major and I both think it will be the best way for you to take a

house for me for six months. I should like Myrtlewood best, if it is to

be had. I have told Conrade all about it, and how pretty it is, and it

is so near you that I think there I can be happy as ever I can be again

in this world, and have your advice for the dear children.'"




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