and went up with Lucy and Emily to their window to wait
till it came.

After a while they heard the sound of it; then they saw John go to the
gate and set it open; then they drew back a little, not to be seen, and
came forward when the carriage stopped, but they did not see the old
lady get out. Mrs. Fairchild was below to receive her, and to lead her
into the house: but they saw the maid busy in seeing the things taken
out of the carriage, and they heard her giving her orders. This maid
was not the same who had for years waited on the old lady, but one who
had taken the place whilst the old waiting-maid stayed behind to take
care of the house. This new maid called herself Miss Tilney: her
mistress called her Jane, but no one else took that liberty. She was
dressed as smartly as she could be in deep mourning; and she gave
orders in such a sharp tone that the children could hear every word she
said.

She called Betty "young woman," and bade her carry up some of the
parcels to her lady's room. She asked John his name; and told the
postboy he was not worth his salt.

"Well," said Henry, "there will be no need for my making a noise to
disturb grandmamma; that woman would make enough for us all."

"That woman!" cried Emily; "don't speak so loud, she will hear you."

In a few minutes the boxes were all removed, and the carriage driven
away; and then the children heard the maid's voice talking to Betty in
the next room, which was the only spare room in the house. They heard
her say, "Well, to be sure, but our rooms at The Grove are so large,
that one is not used to such bandboxes as these."

"I am sure," said Henry, "the room is good enough for her:" and he was
going to say more, when his sisters stopped him, and begged him not to
listen. "I don't listen," he answered; "I hear without listening."

They were interrupted by Mrs. Fairchild, who came to tell them that
their grandmother had asked for them. Mrs. Fairchild walked first, and
opened the drawing-room door; there they saw their grandmother. She was
a neat little old lady in black, exactly such as they fancied Mrs.
Howard had been. She was seated, and looked very pale. At the sight of
them she became paler than before; she held out her hands to them, and
they all three rushed into her arms.

"My children, my precious children!" said the old lady, kissing one and
another as they pressed forward.

"We will be your own grandchildren," said Lucy; "we will comfort y