“Where is your sister?” asked Zoe, glancing round the room in search of Alma.

Christine explained that, not having entirely recovered her strength since her illness, Alma was much fatigued with her journey and had already retired to rest.

“Quite right,” said Edward; “I think you should follow her example very soon, for you are looking tired.  I hope the servants have attended to all your wants?”

“Oh, sir, and dear lady,” she exclaimed, “how good, how kind you are to us! what more could we possibly ask than has been provided us by your orders?”

“Our orders were that you should be well cared for,” Edward said, “but we feared that for lack of an interpreter you might not be able to make your wants known.”

“Indeed, sir, every want was anticipated,” she answered, with grateful look and tone.

“That is well,” he responded.  “And now we will leave you to take your rest.  Good-night.”

“Good-night, sir,” she said; then turning to Zoe, “And you, dear lady, will let me do some work for you to-morrow?”

“Yes, if you are quite rested by that time,” was the smiling reply.  “Don’t be uneasy; work and good wages will be found in abundance if you prove capable.”

So Christine went to bed with a heart singing for joy and thankfulness.

Elsie and Evelyn drove over to Ion next morning and found Zoe attending to her housekeeping cares with a pretty matronly air that became her well; Aunt Dicey receiving her orders with the look and manner of one who is humoring a child, for such she considered the youthful lady.

“There, Aunt Dicey, I believe that is all for to-day,” said Zoe; and turning from her to her callers, “Sister Elsie, how good in you to come over so early!  And you too, little maid,” to Evelyn:  “I’m delighted to see you both.”

“Thank you,” returned Elsie, brightly.  “How do you like housekeeping?”

“Very much so far, and my efforts seem to amuse Ned immensely,” laughed Zoe.  “It’s too absurd that he will persist in looking upon me still as a mere child.  Just think of it! when I’ve been married more than a year; yes, a year and a half.”

“Ah, my dear little sister, don’t be in too great a hurry to grow old,” said Elsie, “or you may be wanting to turn about and travel back again one of these days.  How do you like your new helpers, or rather their work?  But I suppose you have hardly tried them yet.”

“Yes; they are busy now in the sewing-room.  I wanted them to take a few days to rest; but their pride of independence rose up so against it that I was fairly forced to give them something to do, and I find they do sew beautifully.  Suppose you come and examine their work for yourself.  You are included in the invitation, Evelyn,” she added, as she rose and led the way.

In the cheerful, sunny sewing-room, beside a window that looked out upon the beautiful grounds, now gay with autumn flowers, Christine and Alma sat busily plying their needles and talking together thankfully of the present, hopefully of the future, when the door opened and the two ladies and little girl entered.