hat she would be delighted to go.

And then, having made her choice, she put away thought. All through the
voyage she was a most delightful companion. A little stifled
excitement, like forcing heat in a greenhouse, made all her social
qualities blossom out in unwonted brilliancy. She was entertaining,
bright, gay, witty, graceful; she was the admiration and delight of the
whole company on board; and Mrs. Dallas thought to herself with proud
satisfaction that Pitt could find nothing better than that, nor more
attractive, and that she need wish nothing better than that at the head
of her son's household and by his side. That Pitt could withstand such
enchantment was impossible. She was doing the very best thing she could
do in coming to England and in bringing Betty with her.

Having meditated this journey for months, Mr. Dallas had made all his
preparations. Rooms had been engaged in a pleasant part of the city,
and there, very soon after landing, the little party found themselves
comfortably established and quite at home.

'Nothing like England!' Mr. Dallas grumbled with satisfaction. 'You
couldn't do this in New York; they understand nothing about it, and
they are too stupid to learn. I believe there isn't a lodging-house in
all the little Dutch city over there; you could not find a single house
where they let lodgings in the English fashion.'

'Mr. Dallas, it is not a Dutch city!'

'Half Dutch, and that's enough. Have you let Pitt know we are here,
wife?'

Mrs. Dallas had done that; but the evening passed away, nevertheless,
without any news of him. They made themselves very comfortable; had an
excellent dinner, and went to rest in rooms pleasant and well
appointed; but Betty was in a state of feverish excitement which would
not let her be a moment at ease. Now she was here, she almost was ready
to wish herself back again. How would Pitt look at her? how would he
receive her? and yet, what affair was it of his, if his mother brought
a young friend with her, to enjoy the journey and make it agreeable? It
was nothing to Pitt; and yet, if it _were_ nothing to him, Betty would
want to take passage in the next packetship sailing for New York or
Boston. She drew her breath short, until she could see him.

He came about the middle of the next morning. Mr. Dallas had gone out,
and the two ladies were alone, in a high state of expectancy; joyous on
one part, most anxious and painful on the other. The first sight of him