84 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



the array of letters on the table seemed clamouring to 

 pass. 



Be this as it may, she started with a jump when the voice of 

 the butler behind her announced her own name in measured 

 tones — *' Miss Lavinia Badsworth ! " 



A composed and dignified young lady, rather above the 

 middle height, clad in a well-made black serge costume and 

 a sailor hat, closely followed by a fox terrier with a black 

 head and one black spot near the root of his tail, entered the 

 room as Miss Badsworth rose with the worried expression 

 still upon her face. 



Two observant brown eyes took in that fact and the heap 

 of letters at a glance ; the dignity and composure rippled 

 into a smile which went straight to Miss Badsworth's heart, 

 and a soft musical voice said, " Here I am at last, aunt, 

 come to help you if I can ". 



Just for one moment Miss Badsworth glanced at the girl's 

 smiling face, with the outstretched, ungloved hand of her 

 niece clasped between both her own, then she kissed her 

 heartily and said : — 



*' My dear, I've been worried to death, and I confess I had 

 forgotten all about your arrival ; come and have some tea at 

 once, you have had a long journey." 



So the ice was broken, and aunt and niece looked furtively 

 at one another, and Johnnie took in the unaccustomed sur- 

 roundings from a post of vantage close beside his mistress. 



" Lavvy," Miss Badsworth said presently, " you are not 

 the least what I expected you to be." 



" No ? Well, aunt, you are not at all according to my 

 anticipation. I hope you won't mind my saying I am agree- 

 ably disappointed. Do tell me what you thought I should 

 be like." 



'• My dear child, I hardly know, but you do not look — 

 you are not like — from what your father said I expected — 

 well " 



" A hoyden, aunt, now didn't you ? But the dear dad is 

 often carried away when I am concerned. You see I have had 



