it woke her while still in her first
sleep--there came a letter for her from the parsonage. Mrs. Robarts
had written it, after her return home from Lady Lufton's dinner. The
letter said:--

MY OWN DARLING,--

How am I to congratulate you, and be eager enough in
wishing you joy? I do wish you joy, and am so very happy.
I write now chiefly to say that I shall be over with you
about twelve to-morrow, and that I must bring you away
with me. If I did not some one else, by no means so
trustworthy, would insist on doing it.

But this, though it was thus stated to be the chief part of the
letter, and though it might be so in matter, was by no means so in
space. It was very long, for Mrs. Robarts had sat writing it till
past midnight.

I will not say anything about him [she went on to say,
after two pages had been filled with his name], but I must
tell you how beautifully she has behaved. You will own
that she is a dear woman; will you not?

Lucy had already owned it many times since the visit of yesterday,
and had declared to herself, as she has continued to declare ever
since, that she had never doubted it.

She took us by surprise when we got into the drawing-room
before dinner, and she told us first of all that she had
been to see you at Hogglestock. Lord Lufton, of course,
could not keep the secret, but brought it out instantly. I
can't tell you now how he told it all, but I am sure you
will believe that he did it in the best possible manner.
He took my hand and pressed it half a dozen times, and I
thought he was going to do something else; but he did not,
so you need not be jealous. And she was so nice to Mark,
saying such things in praise of you, and paying all manner
of compliments to your father. But Lord Lufton scolded
her immensely for not bringing you. He said it was
lackadaisical and nonsensical; but I could see how much he
loved her for what she had done; and she could see it too,
for I know her ways, and know that she was delighted with
him. She could not keep her eyes off him all the evening,
and certainly I never did see him look so well.

And then while Lord Lufton and Mark were in the
dining-room, where they remained a terribly long time, she
would make me go through the house that she might show me
your rooms, and explain how you were to be mistress there.
She has got it all arranged to pe