a'am?"

"Yes. Do you remember the room occupied by my nursery governess years
ago?"

"Yes, ma'am; the front room on the left side of the hall on the third
story."

"Yes; that is the room. Have it prepared for the same person. She will
be here to-morrow evening."

"Good--Lord!" involuntarily exclaimed old Martha; "why, we haven't heard
of her for a dozen years. What a sweet creeter she was, though, Miss
Cora. I thought as she'd a married a fortin' long ago."

"She has been married and widowed. At least she says so."

"A widow, poor thing! And is she comin' to be a companion or anything?"

"She is coming as a guest."

"Oh! very well, Miss Cora; I will have the room ready in time."

When the old woman had left the room Cora sat down to her writing desk
and wrote two letters--one to Mr. Fabian Rockharrt, Hotel Trois Freres,
Paris; the other to Cadet Sylvanus Haught, West Point, N.Y.

When she had finished and sealed these she put them in the mail bag that
was left in the hall to be taken at daybreak by the groom to North End
post office. Then she retired to rest.

The next morning she breakfasted tete-a-tete with her grandfather, Mr.
Clarence having remained over night at North End. While they were still
at the table the man John entered with a telegram, which he laid on the
table before his master.

"Who brought this?" inquired the Iron King, as he opened it.

"Joseph brought it when he came back from the post office. It had just
come, and Mr. Clarence gave it to Joseph to fetch to you, sir. Yes,
sir!" replied John.

"It is from Mrs. Stillwater. That lady is a perfect model of promptitude
and punctuality. She says--but I had better read it to you. John, you
need not wait," said Mr. Rockharrt.

The negro, who had lingered from curiosity to hear what was in the
telegram, immediately retired.

Old Aaron Rockharrt took up the long slip, adjusted his spectacles and
read:

WIRT HOUSE, BALTIMORE, MD., May 16th, 18--

A thousand heartfelt thanks for your princely munificence and
hospitality. I avail myself of both gladly and at once. I shall
leave Baltimore by the 8:30 a.m., and arrive at the North End
Station at 6:30 p.m.

"That is her message. Now I wish you to have everything in readiness for
her. I shall go in person to the depot and bring her home with me when I
return in the evening. Of course it will be two hours later than usual
when I get back here. You will, therefore, have th