ng, too," she said.

"Then you are cured," said Alice. "I'm glad of it, I'm sure. What did I
say, Sophy, when I was coming in."

"You said if anyone could mend up Matty it would be Gus," retorted
Sophy.

That fickle Matty blushed. It was a way she had.

CHAPTER XXIV.

EVENTS MOVE APACE.

Mrs. Bell was very successful in her purchase of plums. In her way she
was a notable housewife, and she returned home about eight o'clock that
evening with a large basket of greengages, which were all to be boiled
down for preserving the following day.

As soon as she entered the house the maid came to meet her.

"You take these carefully down and put them in the larder, Hannah," said
her mistress. "Be careful you don't knock any of them, or the bloom will
go off. Why what's the matter, girl? Is Miss Matty worse?"

"Lor, no, ma'am. Miss Matty is up, and out a-pleasuring, ma'am. But if
you please, there's a visitor in the drawing-room who would like to have
a word with you the minute you come in."

"A visitor?"

Mrs Bell felt her heart beat. The Northbury people did not stand on
ceremony with each other, nor wait in each other's drawing-rooms, for
the return of an absent hostess. A wild idea came across Mrs. Bell's
brain. Could Captain Bertram have quarrelled with Beatrice, and come
back to Matty, his first and only true love.

"A visitor? Male or female?" she inquired of the girl.

"A lady, ma'am. Dressed most elegant."

"Dear, dear, dear! Then I suppose I must see her, and I so dead beat!
She didn't give her name, did she, Hannah?"

"No, ma'am. But she have been a-setting in the drawing-room for over an
hour."

"And Miss Matty, you say, is out!"

"Oh, yes, ma'am; a-pleasuring in her shot silk, and the open-worked
stockings you ironed up a fortnight back."

"Well, I feel bothered altogether, but I must go and see this visitor."

Accordingly Mrs. Bell entered her drawing-room, where she was instantly
confronted by a tall girl who greeted her with warmth, flashed her
brilliant eyes into her face, subjugated her in a moment, and then made
a bold request.

"My name is Josephine Hart. About a month ago I took rooms at the
Testers. I find Mrs. Bertram has forbidden them to receive me again. I
don't know where to go, as I am not acquainted with Northbury, but I can
pay for good rooms. Can you recommend any?"

"My dear child, now let me think. The place is packed just at
present--simply packed. Dear, dear! I