ways knew when he was not wanted, had pattered softly
out of the room, thinking it high time to rejoin his master.

'Is it Michael?' asked Audrey, with her face well hidden in her
wardrobe.

'To think of your guessing like that!' returned Mollie in a vexed tone.
'Whatever put Captain Burnett in your head, Audrey? Everyone else is so
surprised. Mrs. Ross nearly jumped off her chair when she heard his
voice. He has been here two hours, and we have all been so busy getting
his room ready.'

'I am very glad he has come,' returned Audrey, trying to speak as usual;
'but now will you go down, Mollie dear? for I shall dress more quickly
if you do not talk to me. You may give me my dress if you like. There,
that will do.' For Mollie's chatter was unendurable.

'How was she to go down and meet him before them all?' she thought, as
her trembling fingers bungled with the fastening. Her cheeks were
burning, and yet her hands were cold as ice. Would he see how nervous
she was, and how she dreaded to meet him? And yet the thought that he
was there--in the house--and that in a few minutes she should hear his
beloved voice, made her almost dizzy with happiness. And as she clasped
the brilliant cross on her neck she hardly dare look at herself, for
fear she should read her own secret in her eyes.

The gong sounded before she was ready, and she dared not linger, for
fear Mollie should come again in search of her. Without giving herself
time for thought, she hurried down, and stood panting a little before
the drawing-room door. Yes, they were all there: her father and mother
and Mollie; and someone else--imperfectly seen through a sort of
haze--was there too! Audrey never knew what word of greeting came to her
lips as Michael took her hand. Her eyes were never lifted, as she felt
that strong, warm pressure. His low-toned 'I have come, Audrey,' might
mean anything or nothing, and was met by absolute silence on her part.
Perhaps Michael felt this meeting embarrassing, for he dropped her hand
in another moment and spoke to Mollie, and Audrey took refuge with her
father.

But dinner was on the table, and she must take her seat opposite to him.
It was Mollie who was beside him. Happily, no one spoke to her for the
first few minutes. Dr. Ross was questioning Michael about his route, and
Michael seemed to have a great deal to say about his journey.

Audrey recovered herself, and breathed a little more freely. He was
talking to her father,