d me if I had
been different; but now, ready to go away, you know mine are true words,
when I tell you Richard Lloyd has been to me as a brother."

"Oh, I believe, I believe!" sobbed Tiny, sinking on her knees beside the
couch. "But it is too late--too late!"

"No, no," whispered Netta, "it is not too late. Make him happy. Send
to him to come to you. He is too proud and poor to come himself. But I
know his story: how he lost all through being so honourable and good.
Tiny--you see I know your name; why, he has described you to me so often
that I should have known _you_--send for him, and bless him. You could
not love such a one as he too well."

"Too late!" sobbed Tiny. "It is too late."

She started up, and turned as if to go; but only to push her hair back
from her forehead, lean over Netta's couch and kiss her, as a pair of
thin, weak arms closed round her neck. Then, tearing herself away, she
hurried from the house with Lady Rea, who vainly questioned her as to
the cause of her agitation.

"I asked the woman, who is very ladylike, my dear, but she said her
daughter would explain; so I waited till you came down; and now," said
the little ruffled dame, "you do nothing but cry."

"Don't ask me now, mamma, dear," sobbed Tiny, covering her face with her
hands. "Another time I'll tell you all."

"Very well, my darling," said Lady Rea, resignedly. "But, pray, try now
and look brighter. Papa will be terribly put out if he finds you so;
for he said you told him yesterday you would do as he wished about
Captain Vanleigh, and Aunt Matty has been quite affectionate to me ever
since."

"Mamma, dear, do you think it will make you happier?"

"I don't know, my dear," said Lady Rea. "I blame myself sometimes for
not being more determined; but I'm obliged to own that Captain Vanleigh
has been very patient, and he must care for you."

Tiny shuddered again, and her sobs became so violent that Lady Rea drew
up the carriage window, for a few minutes being quite alarmed. At
length, though, the poor girl grew calm, and seemed to make an effort
over herself as they neared home, just as Fin crossed the road from the
square garden, looking as innocent as if she had not had half an hour's
talk with Frank Pratt.

Volume 3, Chapter XV.

AT HOME.

"And what do you mean to do, Tiny?" said Fin, as she stood by her
sister's side, dressed for the evening. "Papa told me about it, and
nearly boxed my ears because I said it