"It's a letter from Mrs. Steer," Angel answered; "you know who she is—our old landlady in London. I should like you to read what she says, because it's mostly about father. Please read it aloud, Mrs. Mickle; I dare say the others would like to hear it too." Mrs. Mickle took the letter from the little girl's hand, smiled into the eyes that met her own full of a great happiness; then turned her attention to Mrs. Steer's rather indistinct handwriting, and read aloud, slowly, as follows— "MY DEAR MISS ANGEL,—" "I am sending you a few lines, because I think you will like to know I have seen your dear pa twice. First, he called on Saturday, and asked me to go with him to look at his picture at Burlington House; but, as Saturday is always the busiest day of the week with me, as I dare say you remember, I couldn't go then, and so I told him. He said I was to study my own convenience, being as considerate as he ever was, dear Miss Angel, and as nice, and good-tempered. Well, I told him I could go on Tuesday, and on Tuesday he fetched me in a cab, and we drove off together. One of my lodgers had told me as how your pa's picture is a great deal thought of by them who understand such things, and that every one is talking of it, so you may imagine I was a bit curious to see it, but I wasn't prepared for the fuss folks made about it. There was a crowd of people around the picture, gang at it with all their eyes, and saying such flattering things about your pa; one gentleman kept on repeating to himself— 'Beautiful! beautiful! What perfection of colouring!' and after he had gone away, and I thought I had seen the last of him, he came back, and stared at the picture again and again." "Of course, as you know, dear Miss Angel, I had seen that picture times enough before it was finished; I had watched it grow from shadows so indistinct that you couldn't make out what they were meant for into those two women going towards each other to kiss; and, as your pa said, I couldn't be expected to look at it with quite the same eyes as other people—it was like watching a conjurer's trick when you know all the while how it's done—but I must say it's a most wonderful picture—so real, I felt as though I had only to stretch out my hand, and touch two living women, and I didn't wonder any longer that your pa is considered clever. I think it was very nice of him to take me to see 'Righteousness and Peace;' but there, Miss Angel, I always did say your pa meant well. He tells me as how it is better times for you now; that he is earning more money, and that the success of this picture of his has made you all very happy. Dear Miss Angel, I am very, very glad. I must say I think you understood what your pa could do better than I did, for you always thought he would be famous some day, and it seems he is, and I am proud to speak of him as having once lodged in my house—as kind a man as I ever knew, and a perfect gentleman."