, hitherto gravely stiff and reserved, to poor
Frank's evident chagrin, at once flashed into animation, and met the
elder Miss Bowater with outstretched hands, receiving a warm kiss.
At the same time Mr. Bowater despatched Frank to see whether his
mother could admit a visitor; and Lady Tyrrell observed, "Ah! I was
about to make the same petition; but I will cede to older friends,
for so I suppose I must call you, Mr. Bowater--though my
acquaintance is of long standing enough!"

And she put on a most charming smile, which Mr. Bowater received
with something inarticulate that might be regarded as a polite form
of 'fudge,' which made Cecil think him a horribly rude old man, and
evidently discomposed his wife very much.

Frank brought back his mother's welcome to the Squire; but by this
time Eleonora and Miss Bowater had drawn together into a window, in
so close and earnest a conversation that he could not break into it,
and with almost visible reluctance began to talk to the younger
sister, who on her side was desirous of joining in the bazaar
discussion, which had been started again in full force; until there
was a fresh influx of visitors, when Lady Tyrrell decidedly took
leave with her sister, and Frank escorted them to their carriage,
and returned no more.

In the new shuffling of partners, the elder Miss Bowater found
herself close to Anne, and at once inquired warmly for Miles, with
knowledge and interest in naval affairs derived from a sailor
brother, Miles's chief friend and messmate in his training and
earlier voyages. There was something in Joanna Bowater's manner
that always unlocked hearts, and Anne was soon speaking without her
fence of repellant stiffness and reserve. Certainly Miles was loved
by his mother and brothers more than he could be by an old
playfellow and sisterly friend, and yet there was something in
Joanna's tone that gave Anne a sense of fellow-feeling, as if she
had met a countrywoman in this land of strangers; and she even told
how Miles had thought it right to send her home, thinking that she
might be a comfort to his mother. "And not knowing all that was
going to happen!" said poor Anne, with an irrepressible sigh, both
for her own blighted hopes, and for the whirl into which her sore
heart had fallen.

"I think you will be," said Joanna, brightly; "though it must be
strange coming on so many. Dear Mrs. Poynsett is so kind!"

"Yes," said Anne, coldly.

"Ah! you don't know her