side, and Harriet sprung on his knee. "I should
not have startled you so," said Charles, "but I had no time to write,
and give you notice. I did not know myself, till a few hours before I
left town, that I was coming."

"But _how_ did you come?" asked Isabella. "This is not the time when
any of the coaches arrive."

"My dear, I must explain all that by and by: there is a long and sad
story connected with that."

"I am glad we knew nothing about your coming," said Alfred; "for the
London coach was overturned yesterday, and we should have been afraid
that you were in it."

"It _was_ overturned, and there was a man killed," said Charles; but he
said no more about it, for he did not feel inclined to enter at once
upon that sad subject.

"I am afraid, Jane, I am not come at the pleasantest time for you: your
mornings are, I suppose, fully engaged, but we must make long evenings."

"And here is one to begin with," said Jane. "We have you all to
ourselves for this evening at least. But how very tired you look! Are
you quite well?"

"Perfectly," replied Charles, "I am only tired."

"Come and have some tea," said Isabella. "Let me make tea to-night,
Jane, and do you sit beside Charles."

So the happy party gathered round the table, and it would be in vain for
us to attempt to follow them through the variety of subjects which they
touched upon, or to record half that was said. After tea, Charles went
into the kitchen to speak to Hannah, and to delight her by his
affectionate remembrance. Then Jane and Harriet had to settle the
important affair of where Alfred was to sleep. He was to give up his
bed to Charles, and a little bed was made up for him, in a corner of the
same room. He declared that he would sleep on the floor rather than
that Charles should seek a lodging out of the house.

Late in the evening a note arrived from Mrs Everett: an unusually
gracious one for her. It said that, as Miss Forsyth and her brother had
not met for so long, Mrs Everett would be sorry to keep them asunder,
for the few first days of his stay, especially as Mr C. Forsyth must
require cheering and relaxation, after the melancholy circumstances of
his journey. Mrs Everett therefore would not require Miss Forsyth to
resume her daily charge till the next Monday, and in the mean time
wished her much enjoyment of her brother's society.

"How very kind!" exclaimed Jane.

"How perfectly delightful!" said Charles.

"But how s