ther dismayed
to find the candles out, and the room only lighted up by the red glow
from the fire.

Rose who had had no temper to conquer, was already in bed. "Still in your
dress!" she exclaimed. "I believe you've been at that Browning again.
But did no one come to help you? I sent Gemma."

"I didn't want help, thank you," said Erica. "I only wanted to see
Elspeth because I have a message for her."

"How conscientious you are!" said Rose, laughing. "I always make a point
of forgetting messages when I go from home. Well, you will find Elspeth
in the little room on the next half landing, the work room. She was here
not two minutes ago. Good night! Breakfast is at nine, you know; and
they'll bring you a cup of tea when they call you."

A little shyly, Erica made her way to the work room where Elspeth was
tacking frilling into one of Rose's dresses. The old woman started up
with a quick exclamation when she appeared in the doorway.

"May I come in?" said Erica, with all the charm of manner which she had
inherited from her father. "'Tis very late, but I didn't like to go to
bed without seeing you."

"I hope missie has everything she wants?" asked Elspeth, anxiously.

"Yes, indeed!" said Erica. "All I want is to see you, and to give you my
father's love, to ask how you are. He and Aunt Jean have often told me
about you. You have not forgotten them?"

"Forgotten! No, indeed!" cried old Elspeth. "When I saw you at 'Takin'
the book,' and saw you so like your poor father, I could have cried. You
are Mr. Luke's bairn, and no mistake, my bonny lassie! Ah, I mind the
day well when he came to my room the auld nursery in the parsonage,
where I had reared him and told me that master had ordered him out of
the house. I pray God I may never again see a face look as his looked
then!"

Tears started to her eyes at the recollection. Erica threw her arms
round her neck, and kissed her.

"You love him still. I see you love him!" she exclaimed, all her feeling
of isolation melting in the assurance of the old servant's sympathy.

So, after all, Erica had a maid in attendance, for Elspeth insisted on
seeing her to bed, and, since they talked all the time about the old
Scotch days, she was well content to renounce her independence for a
little while.

But, whether because of the flickering fire light, or because of the
strangeness of the great brass bedstead, with its silken hangings and
many-colored Indian rezai, Erica slept very