opened to him by the Frenchwoman, who took him into a little room very
like herself, and left him; and in another minute or two Faith came in.
Her exclamation was with the unmistakeable tone and look of pleasure.

"My dear, I am very glad to see you!" was part of the warm reply. "How
do you do?"

"I do very well, sir."

"Ah!"--said the Squire,--"I suppose so. Well I'll give you a chance to
do better. My dear, I'm going to carry you off,--you're wanted."

"Am I?" said Faith with a quick change. "There's nothing the matter?"

"Nothing _bad_," said the Squire. "At least I hope not! Will you go
home with me this afternoon?"

"O yes, sir--and very glad! But did mother send for me?"

"Sent for you if I could get you, Miss Faith. I don't suppose she'll
ever really interfere with your doings--if you choose to go and live in
the Moon, but she's half sick for the sight of you. That's prevalent
just now," said the Squire, "and she's not the worst case. The doctor
went off for fear he should take it;--but some people have duties, you
know, and can't stir."

There was a tiny peachblossom tinge on Faith's cheek, which the Squire
was pleased to take note of. She stood with a thoughtful face the while.

"I'll be ready, Mr. Stoutenburgh. When will you come for me?"

The time was fixed, and Faith made her explanations to her friends;
promising that if need were she would some back again, or her mother,
after Christmas. Miss Dilly let her go very willingly, yet most
unwillingly; and Madame Danforth's reluctance had nothing to balance
it. So it was that Faith's joy had its wonted mixture of gravity when
she met the Squire again.

"If you're not going to be glad to get home, I'm a rich man if I'll go
in with you!" he said as he put her in the sleigh and tucked her up
with shawls and buffalo robes. "That's the way!--first get power and
then abuse it."

"Power! Mr. Stoutenburgh. What do you mean? I am very glad to go home.
Don't I look so?" She certainly did.

"I mean that I haven't seen anybody smile since you went away," said
Mr. Stoutenburgh, proceeding to tuck himself up in like manner. "Except
Dr. Harrison. He kept himself in practice while he staid."

Faith was silent; eying the snowy road and the jingling horse heads,
with a bounding feeling of heart that she was going home. She dared
allow it to herself now.

"What do you guess made the doctor leave that fly-away horse of his for
Mr. Linden to tame?" said the Squire.