might be sufficiently
well-pleased; and as Candace noticed the tiny nosegay of mignonette and
tea-roses which stood on the bureau, her heart lightened with the sense
that it had been put there for _her_. Some one had thought of her
coming, and prepared for it.

She brushed out her curls and washed her face and hands, but did not
change her dress. The blue alpaca was the newest she had, and she wished
to look her best on that first evening. She sat down in the window to
listen to the soft boom of the surf, which seemed to grow louder as the
night drew on, and did not hear Mrs. Gray as she came down the entry.
That lady stood a moment in the half-open door, surveying her young
visitor.

"What am I to do with her?" she thought. "I want to befriend Candace's
child, but I did not quite realize, till I saw her just now, what a
disadvantage she would be at among all these girls here, with their
French clothes and their worse than French ideas. She's not plain.
There's a good deal of beauty about that shy little face of hers, and
refinement too, if only she were not so awkward. If I can once get her
into a dress that fits, and do something with that mop of curls, she
would look well enough. I wonder if she will take it kindly, or flare up
and feel offended at every little suggestion. That would be terrible!--
You are listening to the surf, dear. I'm afraid it means rain to-morrow.
That sound generally is a symptom of mischief."

"Is it?" said Candace; "what a pity!"

"A pity about the rain?"

"No--but it's such a pretty sound."

"So it is. Well, if you are ready, let us go downstairs. I expect the
girls every moment. Ah, there they are now!"

The line of windows on the staircase landing commanded a view of the
gate and approach, and looking through them Candace saw a village cart
with two girls on the front seat, one driving, and a third girl in the
rumble behind, approaching the house. A couple of young men on horseback
rode close beside the cart. One of them jumped from his horse, helped
the young ladies out, there was a moment of laughter and chat; then,
touching their hats, the riders departed, and the three girls came into
the hall.

"Mamma! mammy! where are you, dear?" sang out three youthful voices.

"Here I am, half-way upstairs," replied Mrs. Gray, seating herself on
the cushioned bench of the landing.

"What on earth are you doing up there? And who's that with you?"

"It's your cousin Candace. Come up an