"Well done, Kitty!" he exclaimed. "Yes, you are in time. Come in, Dr. Pettijohn. One moment!" he bent to whisper in Kitty's ear. "One more errand for you, my dear brave child! Providence sent you to-night, I am confident of it. Our poor friend desires greatly to see your Aunt Johanna. Yes!" as Kitty uttered a cry of surprise. "They were friends in youth; perhaps more than friends. He wishes to take leave of her. Is she able to come, do you think, Kitty? Not for worlds would I have her do herself an injury!" "Perfectly able, I am sure! I'll just take the ladies home; thank you, Judge dear!" Pilot did very well, Kitty thought, to slacken his pace so cheerfully the rest of the way to Madam Flynt's house; even so, they were two shaken and disheveled ladies who dismounted at the stone steps, and Abby Ann, hurrying out with the foot-stool, exclaimed in dismay at their appearance. "For the goodness gracious sake, Madam!" she cried. "Whatever has happened to your bonnet?" Madam Flynt waved her aside with dignity and addressed Kitty. "We have had a _most interesting_ drive!" she said. "I congratulate you, Kitty, on your skill; and I am deeply thankful to have been able--you understand, my dear! Good evening! Cornelia, you are treading on my skirt. If you _have_ pretty feet, it is not necessary to trample----There! don't mind me! it was my fault, I dare say." Every moment of this evening was bitten into Kitty's mind, an ineffaceable impression: sharpest and clearest of all, the moment when she stood faltering in the doorway of the Red Indian Room. Miss Johanna Ross (in rose-color this time) was sitting erect among her pillows, reading "Framley Parsonage." She was going through the whole Trollope fleet of "old three-deckers" with infinite enjoyment. Her firm, rather sharp countenance was relaxed in lines of leisurely amusement. Looking up, and meeting Kitty's eyes, it waked into vivid attention. "What's the matter?" demanded Miss Johanna. "Sickness or accident?" She had dropped her book, and was gathering her draperies about her. "Sickness!" Kitty spoke quietly, trying to keep all hurry out of her voice. "An old friend of yours, Aunt Johanna, has come back and is--is very ill, I fear. He would like to see you. It is----" "Russell Gaylord!" said Johanna Ross. The Rosses all move quickly. "Medicated lightning," people used to call Dr. Ross, when he was summoned to an emergency case. Kitty could only think of this, as without another word her aunt flashed from her pillows, rustled into her clothes, and with a shake of her shoulders stood alert, able, prepared. "Now, child!" she pinned on her veil with a steady hand. "I am ready. Who sent you? Judge Peters? Good! and you have Pilot? Good again! we need lose no time. I dreamed last night--come!"