"Yes, Auntie, a very pleasant journey; Uncle was so kind to me." "I am sure he would be, Carol. You are glad to come to us, darling--to be our own dear son? You will feel this is home, and your cousins not cousins, but brothers and sisters?" "Yes, Auntie. I know my father wished me to come to you--but--I am sorry to leave Cousin Alicia. I love her so much." "Of course, darling, that is only natural. She has been quite a mother to you since your own dear mother died." Carol did not speak; a choking sensation of pain prevented him. He knew that Cousin Alicia had been more than a mother to him. "May I write to her to-night, Auntie? She will like to hear from me." "Of course, dear. Write to her as often as you like." "I think that will be every day then," the boy said promptly, with a smile. Mrs. Mandeville smiled too. "Dear boy, how you have comforted me. I feel so much better for this little talk with you. Perhaps I shall be able to surprise everybody, and go down to dinner this evening." "Oh, Auntie, please do. At tea Edith said, ’It would be just lovely if only Mother could come down to dinner.’ We can nearly always do what we want to do, Auntie." "Can we, dear? Then go and write your letter now, and do not mention to anyone that I am going to try to surprise them this evening." CHAPTER II.--CAROL’S LETTER. "MANOR HOUSE MANDEVILLE. "_Dear Cousin Alicia,_ "It seemed such a long journey before we arrived here. Uncle was so kind and told me about the different places as we passed through. But I felt I was getting such a long way from you, as we passed town after town. All my cousins were at the station to meet us; but Auntie was not well enough to be there. I should like to describe them all to you, but I am sure I could not. They are ever so much nicer than any of the children I have read about in books. I will only tell you their names. Perhaps you will see them all some day. Edith, Gwendolin, Percy, and Frank, in the school-room; and in the nursery, Sylvia, Estelle, and Rosebud. Uncle had never seen Rosebud. She is two years and three months old, and is the sweetest little girl. She has such pretty ways. I do love to hear her talk.