ttigrew had also supplied the dress with a train,
which could be hooked on with safety hooks and eyes for evening wear,
and removed easily when the robe was to act as a tennis or morning
costume. Altogether, nothing could have been more complete than this
sinning garment, and no heart could have beat more proudly under it than
did fair Matty's.

When the captain went suddenly away this little girl and her good mother
had both owned to a sense of depression; but his speedy return was soon
bruited abroad, and at the same time that little whisper got into the
air with regard to the gallant captain, that, like Duncan Gray, he was
coming back to woo. It did not require many nods of Mrs. Bell's head to
assure all her acquaintances whom she considered the favored young lady.
Matty once more blushed consciously, and giggled in an audible manner
when the captain's name was mentioned. The invitation to play tennis at
the Manor completed the satisfaction of this mother and daughter.

"There's no doubt of it," said Mrs. Bell; "I thought my fine lady would
have to come down from her high horse. I expect the captain makes his
mother do pretty much what he wishes, and very right, too, very right.
He wants to show his little girl to his proud parent, and, whether she
likes it or not, she'll have to make much of you, my love. Sophy and
Alice, it's more than likely Matty will be asked to dine and spend the
evening, at the Manor, and I think we'll just make up the evening body
of her silk dress and her train in a bit of brown paper, and you can
carry the parcel up between you to the Manor. Then, if it's wanted, it
will come in handy, and my girl won't be behind one of them."

"Lor, ma, what are we to do with such a bulky parcel?" objected Sophy,
who was not looking her best in a washed-out muslin of two years' date.
"What can we do with the parcel when we get to the Manor?"

"Take it up, of course, to the house, child, and give it to the servant,
and tell her it's to be kept till called for. She'll understand fast
enough; servants always guess when there's a sweetheart in the question.
Most likely she'll place the things ready for Matty in one of the
bedrooms. I'll put in your best evening shoes too, Matty, love, and my
old black lace fan, in case you should flush up dreadful when the
captain is paying you attention. And now, Sophy, you'll just be
good-natured, and leave the parcel with the parlor maid, so your sister
will be prepared