Mrs. Grahame repeated. "Some of them, that is. Oh,
things can happen here as well as in New York, mademoiselle! They came
yesterday,--Mrs. Merryweather and Kitty and--"

"And you never told me!" cried Hildegarde. "And you have let me talk on
and on for three,--four hours,--oh, Mrs. Grahame!"

"You never asked me," replied that lady, demurely. "You had a great deal
to tell, and I wanted very much to hear it; perhaps, too, I did not want
to have your mind distracted until I had had my turn. Mrs. Merryweather
is looking very well."

"Oh, the dear!" cried Hildegarde. "Oh, Mammina, do you think I might go
over? Do you think it is too late? It is only half-past eight. _Don't_
you think I might run over now?"

"Hark!" said Mrs. Grahame, raising her hand. "What is that?"

Hildegarde, in full tide of excitement, checked herself, and listened.
Under the window some unseen hand swept the strings of a guitar,
lightly, yet firmly; and next moment a voice broke out, singing the old
air of "Gentle Zitella."

"Under thy window,
Maiden, I sing,
Though the night's chilly
For this kind of thing.
Weather is merry,
Hearts too are light;
Speak to thy Jerry,
Hilda the Bright!"

Hildegarde threw up the sash.

"Come in, Gerald!" she cried. "Oh, you dear boy, I _am_ so glad to see
you--hear you, rather! come in, quick!"

She shut the window hastily.

"Did you feel the air, Mamma? I thought if I opened it just for a
second,--the room seemed pretty warm. Sure you are not cold, love?"

Mrs. Grahame was quite positive; but Hildegarde must feel her hands to
make assurance doubly sure; must tuck a shawl round her mother's
shoulders, and throw an encouraging glance towards the fire, before she
turned to the door, which now opened to admit Mr. Gerald Merryweather.

"You dear boy!" she repeated, going to meet him with outstretched hand.
"To think that you have been here two days without my seeing you.
Gerald, how you have grown!"

"'Great weeds do grow apace,'" said the tall lad, looking down on her.
"I forestall the remark, you observe. It is the one with which I am
commonly greeted by my affectionate family. But it's awfully good to see
you, Hilda. I say, how well you're looking!"

"You, too," said Hilda. "And they are all well? and all here, or coming?
Oh, sit down and tell me all about everything, do!"

"I have already told her, Gerald," said