Katherine wrote by return mail, stating the case to Mrs. Seabrook, and the second day afterward, while she and Sadie were busy with some fancy work on the veranda, Dr. Stanley suddenly appeared, mounting the steps.

Katherine sprang forward to greet him, her face glowing with pleasure.

“This is a delightful surprise, Dr. Stanley,” she said, giving him a cordial hand.  “Come and have a chair.  If you have walked from the station you will be glad to get out of the sun, and I am sure you need no introduction to Miss Minot.”

The physician saluted Sadie with his customary courtesy, then seated himself in the comfortable rocker tendered him, and gazed, with an appreciative eye, off upon the blue expanse before him, at the same time taking in deep breaths of the cool, delicious salt air.

“This is glorious!” he exclaimed.  “Young ladies, I do not wonder at the roses in your cheeks, in view of these invigorating breezes wafted straight from the domain of old Neptune.”

Sadie, however, did marvel as she observed the unusual color in the face of her friend.  “The invigorating breezes of ’Old ‘Neptune’ didn’t have anything to do with that,” she said to herself.

“We have found it very warm and close up in the mountains,” the gentleman resumed, “and I now regret that I did not send my sister to the sea at the beginning of the summer.”

Katherine inquired for Mrs. Seabrook, who had scarcely referred to herself in her letter, and expressed her regret that Dorrie had seemed to lose ground.

“Yes, she has been very poorly, and her mother is simply worn out with anxiety and watching,” said Phillip Stanley, with a clouded brow.  “You perceive I lost no time, after the receipt of your letter, in coming to conclude the arrangements with Mrs. Hunt.”

“You will find her cottage very comfortable and homelike, although it is not very large,” Katherine informed him.  “We think it is just the place for you, because of the well-trained help, which will greatly relieve dear Mrs. Seabrook.  That is the house—­the second one above us on the opposite side of the street.”

“The location is certainly fine.  It is high, has a good view of the ocean and spacious grounds.  I shall feel that we are very fortunate to secure it.  I wonder if I shall find Mrs. Hunt at home?” said the gentleman, and apparently eager to conclude the bargain.

“I think so, and, if agreeable to you, Dr. Stanley, I will go over with and introduce you to her,” returned his young hostess.

“That is very good of you, Miss Minturn,” he eagerly responded, with a look that caused the white lids to droop quickly over the brown eyes.  “I shall certainly avail myself of your kind offer.”

“I am sorry that mamma is not at home,” Katherine remarked, as she arose to go in and make ready for the proposed call.  “She will be disappointed to have missed you.  She was obliged to go to Boston this morning, with Miss Reynolds, who arrived last night, and will not be back until late this evening.  Sadie, will you come with us to Mrs. Hunt’s?” she concluded, turning to her friend.