l events, it was time for the
other sisters to go and get ready also.

Punctual to the moment, Captain King arrived at the door, and entered,
and went upstairs. He was not a little excited. Now he would see
Nan--and not only her, but also this clergyman, whom he was also
curious to see. At such a moment--arriving as Madge's accepted
suitor--it was not Nan that he ought to have been thinking about. But
it was Nan whom his-first quick glance round the drawing-room sought
out; and instantly he knew she was not there.

Everybody else was, however. Mr. Roberts, with his conspicuous red
opal and diamonds, was standing on the hearth-rug with his back to the
fire, talking to Lady Beresford, who was cushioned up in an easy-chair.
Mr. Jacomb was entertaining the two sisters, Edith and Madge, who were
laughing considerably. Mr. Tom was walking about with his hands in his
pockets, ferocious, for dinner was already eighteen seconds late.

Frank King had not much time to study the looks or manners of this
clergyman, to whom he was briefly introduced; for already his
attention, which was at the moment exceedingly acute, was drawn to the
opening of the door. It was Nan who slipped in, quietly. Apparently
she had seen the others before; for when she caught sight of him, she
at once advanced towards him, with a grave, quiet smile on her face,
and an outstretched hand.

'Oh, how do you do, Captain King,' she said, in the most friendly way,
and without the least trace of embarrassment.

Of course she looked at his eyes as she said so. Perhaps she did not
notice the strange, startled look that had dwelt there for an instant
as he regarded her--a look as if he had seen some one whom he had not
expected to see--some one whom he almost feared to see. He could not
speak, indeed. For the moment he had really lost command of himself,
and seemed bewildered. Then he stammered--

'How do you do, Miss Anne? I am glad to see you looking so well.
You--you have not altered much--anything--during these last three or
four years.'

'Oh, Nan has altered a great deal I can tell you,' said Mr. Tom; 'and
for the better. She isn't half as saucy as she used to be.'

But Nan had turned to her mother, to say privately--

'They are quite ready, mamma. The shades just came in time; and the
candles are all lit now.'

Then she turned to Captain King again. If she was acting
non-embarrassment, she was acting very well. The clear, friendly,