"I am glad of that, because it would be such a waste of time," said Mildred promptly. "Besides, you must come and see Mother yourself, and get to know the whole family. You can never call yourself lonely again, Lady Sarah, for you will have a niece, and five grand-nieces, and a grand-nephew. The grand-nephew is more important than all the rest put together. Oh-h!" she gazed round the room with big, bewildered eyes, "I can't believe it. My aunt! Your niece! If someone doesn't pinch me this moment, I shall believe I am asleep and dreaming. Mrs Faucit,-- Bertha,--Lois,--do you believe it? Do I look at all altered? Lady Sarah's niece! I--I suppose it doesn't make any difference in my name, does it? If I have come into a title, break it to me gently, please! I can't bear much more excitement!" "Oh, Mildred!" cried the twins in chorus. Mrs Faucit laughed merrily, and Lady Sarah looked round with an air of triumph. "Ah, my dear, you may take after your father in appearance, but you are your grandmother over again in disposition! My sister Edyth--the brightest, merriest girl! She was my friend and companion; no one knew what I suffered when she went away and left us. Your mother is like her, Mildred--small and dark. It was the resemblance which drew me to her, but she refused to leave home, and I went off to China and we lost sight of each other. I was too proud to inquire what had become of her when I came home, but I have often thought of her. Blood is thicker than water, and I have longed for some of my own kith and kin to be near me in my old age. She is poor, you say, Mildred? Well, well!" Lady Sarah nodded her head in a mysterious fashion, which seemed to argue a hundred delightful possibilities. So it came to pass that Mildred went to Scotland with Lady Sarah, and when Robbie was out of quarantine, returned home in company with the old lady, who was almost as much excited at the meeting with Mrs Moore as the girl was herself. Aunt and niece had many consultations together, the result of which was that Mrs Moore and her children bade farewell to their cottage home, and went to live in a pretty house situated just outside the gates of Lady Sarah's country seat. Here they were near enough to be a comfort and cheer to the old lady during her last days, and not too near to become a burden, or to allow the children to disturb her rest. Lady Sarah took a great interest in her grand-nephew, and in every one of the five grand-nieces, and treated them all with equal generosity, but Mildred was her darling and chosen companion.