d water.

She was still staring out with a frown on her face when a knock came to
the door, and she called out, 'Come in,' without turning her head to see
who the new-comer was.

'Excuse me, miss,' said the voice of the maid, 'but the mistress sent me
with this, and you'll best be getting ready for dinner, for it's late.'

Sarah turned her head, with the air that her mother declared was like
that of a duchess's daughter, and looked at the large cardboard box which
her maid held in her arms, with a gaze which, to do her justice, she was
quite unconscious was haughty. 'What is it?' she asked shortly.

'You just come and see, Miss Sarah,' replied the maid quite politely, but
with Yorkshire independence.

Sarah did not resent the tone of the advice, but came slowly from her
window-seat, and watched the maid undo the string of the box and take
out, with many exclamations of admiration, a beautiful white silk frock
elaborately trimmed with lace and ribbons.

'It's grand! Oh miss, make haste and let me do your hair, and put it on
you!' cried the maid.

'Now? I have no time. Put it away, and get out my white muslin, Naomi,'
replied Sarah, and she turned away after hardly a glance at the pretty
dress.

'But you are to wear it to-night. At least, the mistress said would you,
please, put it on,' corrected Naomi, as she saw her young mistress's look
of indignation at the peremptory order.

Sarah was just going to refuse decidedly; but the thought of her mother's
disappointment made her hesitate. The girl had good enough taste to feel
that the dress was far too smart for an ordinary family dinner; but,
then, as she reflected, it would be in keeping with the rest, which was
far too smart, all of it. So she said, 'Very well. Make haste, Naomi.'

'There, miss, you look just like a queen, and fit to live in a palace;
though, to be sure, ours is one, or as good as one. Now, just look in the
glass and see if you aren't lovely.'

'Yes; it's very pretty,' said Sarah impatiently.

'Are you ill, miss? You don't seem a bit pleased to have such beautiful
things. I'm sure if I had everything I could wish for like you I'd be as
happy as a queen,' observed Naomi, whom Sarah allowed to say what she
liked; in the first place, because she was the daughter of the head
mill-watchman, and her family had all--some still did--worked in Clay's
Mills; and, in the second place, because they had played together as
little children.

'I dare say