d deluded herself into a tranquil sleep.

A rapid fall of hoofs upon the avenue shook the stillness. Nearer and
nearer they came; then a clang of the great bronze knocker at the
principal entrance awoke her thoroughly.

The girl listened; her dream was fast taking shape, and she knew that it
was a reality. Had this untimely arrival anything to do with it? A knock
at her chamber-door, and her father's voice answered the question.

She was to get up, and prepare for a journey at once; her maid was
packing already.

What was it? What had happened? Lord Hope forgot that he had not told
her. The old Countess of Carset had sent for her. She must prepare to
start at once for Houghton.

Clara sprang up, ready to offer battle to the old countess a second time
in behalf of her stepmother.

While she was being dressed, Lord Hope stood in the corridor without,
reading the delicate, upright characters in which the old countess
clothed her thoughts.

"MY LORD:--Circumstances have happened of late which convince me
that I have been hasty and unjust to your wife, and have taken
offense too readily from the independence exhibited by your
child, my grand-daughter. It is my desire to atone for this, as
the men and women of our house have ever atoned for injustice.
The infirmities of old age, and more than ordinary ill-health
forbid me to visit Oakhurst, which might, perhaps, be properly
expected of one who admits herself to have been in the wrong;
but, perhaps you and Lady Hope will permit Lady Clara to come to
me here a few weeks, in which time, I trust, she will learn to
know and love her grandmother.

"Presuming upon your generosity, I have sent my steward and my
own maid, that she may have proper protection on her journey.
After my grand-daughter has been at Houghton long enough to feel
that it is to be her home in the future, I shall expect the
pleasure of a visit from you and Lady Hope.

"LOUISA, Countess of Carset."

Never, since the day in which he brought the first Lady Hope home, a
bride, had such intense satisfaction filled the earl's heart as this
letter brought him.

Involved, as he was, with pecuniary difficulties, harassed about his
daughter, humiliated by the silent rejection by which the nobility in
the neighborhood had repudiated his wife for so many years, this
concession so nobly made by the old countess, was an opening of good
fortu