"Of course this is her home whenever she pleases to come back.
But I strongly suspect the pretty little widow has grown tired of
our country house.

"You know she has really no resources within herself for
enjoyment. She cares nothing for the beautiful scenery
surrounding our home, nor for gardening, nor reading, nor
visiting and instructing the poor negroes; nor, in short, for
anything that makes a remote country place enjoyable. And so she
has left us--'It may be for years, and it may be for ever,' as
the song says.

"But, my darling, don't _you_ desert me just at this time. Come
back, according to your promise. I am wearying for you. Tell that
excessively affectionate and hospitable Uncle John that I need
you so much more than he does. Or show him this letter. All the
Lyttons are gallant and chivalrous gentlemen. He is no exception,
and he will not oppose my wish, I feel sure. I shall expect you
at Blue Cliffs to-morrow evening.

"My grandmother has just directed me to repeat her invitation to
Mr. Alden Lytton, and to ask him to accompany you back to Blue
Cliffs and make us a visit. I hope he will do so. Mind, I shall
expect you both to-morrow evening. Pray present my respects to
Mr. and Mrs. Lytton and all their kind family. And believe me,
dearest Laura,

"Ever your own
"EMMA.

"_Postscript._--I have some strange news to tell you which I can
not trust upon paper. I also expect a new inmate in the family. I
will explain when you come. E."

Laura folded her letter and put it into her pocket for the present.

"They want you to come back, I suppose," said Uncle John, testily.

"I will show you the letter presently, uncle, so you can read and judge
for yourself," said Laura, with a smile.

"Well, all I say is this: if they want you to come back want will be
their master. For they can't have you; so there now! I don't mean to let
you leave us until you are obliged to go back to school. I don't
_that_!" said John, nodding his big red head.

"Did you know Mrs. Grey had left Blue Cliffs?" sorrowfully inquired Mr.
Kyte.

"Yes. Emma has written to me about her departure. When did she go?"

"Early this morning. When I got to the house I was very much
disappointed at not seeing her, and beyond measure astonished to hear
that she had started that very morning to Wendover, to catch the first
train to the city, _en r