ms, her eyes
grew wide with wonder, and she felt, at least, two stages nearer
womanhood.

Flora had omitted no one. There was a Paris present for every servant at
home, and a needle-case even for Cherry Elwood, for which Ethel thanked
her with a fervency wanting in her own case.

She accomplished consulting her father on her scruples, and he set her
mind at rest. He knew that the outlay was a mere trifle to the Riverses,
and was greatly pleased and touched with the affection that Flora
showed; so he only smiled at Ethel's doubts, and dwelt with heartfelt
delight on the beautiful print that she had brought him, from Ary
Scheffer's picture of the Great Consoler.

Flora was in her glory. To be able to bestow benefits on those whom she
loved, had been always a favourite vision, and she had the full pleasure
of feeling how much enjoyment she was causing. They had a very pleasant
evening; she gave interesting accounts of their tour, and by her appeals
to her husband, made him talk also. He was much more animated and
agreeable than Ethel had ever seen him, and was actually laughing,
and making Mary laugh heartily with his histories of the inns in the
Pyrennees. Old Mr. Rivers looked as proud and happy as possible, and
was quite young and gay, having evidently forgotten all his maladies, in
paying elaborate attention to his daughter-in-law.

Ethel told Margaret, that night, that she was quite satisfied about
Flora--she was glad to own that she had done her injustice, and that
Norman was right in saying there was more in George Rivers than met the
eye.

The morning spent at home was equally charming. Flora came back, with
love strengthened by absence. She was devoted to Margaret--caressing to
all; she sat in her old places; she fulfilled her former offices; she
gratified Miss Bracy by visiting her in the schoolroom, and talking of
French books; and won golden opinions, by taking Gertrude in her hand,
and walking to Minster Street to call on Mrs. Hoxton, as in old times,
and take her the newest foreign device of working to kill time.

So a few days passed merrily away, and the great journey commenced.
Ethel met the Abbotstoke party at the station, and, with a parting
injunction to her father, that he was to give all his patients a
sleeping potion, that they might not miss him, she was carried away from
Stoneborough.

Meta was in her gayest mood; Ethel full of glee and wonder, for once
beyond Whitford, the whole world was