"These are done, Cicely," said Madam Passmore. "Take them hence, and fetch another tray; and bid Dolly, if any should come on such a wet day, to have a care that she brings them not hither, but into the drawing-room--unless, of course, it were Harry," she added in a doubtful tone. "Oh dear, Mother!" exclaimed Isabella, who had gone to the window, "here is a coach coming up but now." Lucy was at the window in a second. "Well, who is coming out?" she soliloquized. "An old woman--at least, no--she's not old, but she's older than I am"-- "You don't say so!" commented Charley, incredulously. "Have done, Charley!--and the fattest little yellow dog--oh, such a funny one!--and--why, 'tis Harry! and Celia! Celia herself!" An announcement which sent the whole family to the door at different paces, Lucy heading them. Celia felt herself obliged to greet everybody at once. Lucy was clinging to her on one side, and Charley on the other; Madam Passmore was before her, and the Squire and Isabella met her at the parlor-door. "I am fain to see thee once more, child!" was the Squire's greeting; "but what a crinkum-crankum that woman has made of thee!" "She looks quite elegant," said Isabella, kissing her with a little less languor than usual. "Don't tease her, Charley; she is very tired," said Harry, when he could get in a word. "We have had a long stage to-day." So Celia was established in an enormous easy-chair, and propped up with cushions, until she laughingly declared that she would require all the united strength of the family to help her out again; and Lucy was busy attempting to divest her of her out-door apparel, without having the least idea how to do it. "Shall I take your hat and cloak up-stairs, Madam?" said Patient, entering with a general courtesy. "Celia, what have you done with your yellow dog?" "O dear!" cried Celia, in a tone of distress. "I was so taken up with you that I forgot her. Where is he, Patient?" "'Tis a-sniffling and a-snuffling about, Madam," said Patient. "Call her," replied Celia. "Dog!" summoned Patient--for Patient scorned to pollute her lips with the heathen name which it had pleased Lady Ingram to bestow upon her pet. But Venus was accustomed to the generic epithet from Patient, and came trotting up at her call. Patient shut the little animal in and herself out. Venus waddled slowly up the room, sniffing at every member of the family in turn, until she came to Celia, at whom she wagged her curly tail and half her fat body, and coiled herself in peace upon a hassock at her feet. "Celia," asked the Squire, "did you search all Paris, or offer a reward, for the ugliest dog that could be brought you?" "By no means, Father. The dog is a bequest from my step-mother. It was her special pet, and I have not the conscience to discard it, if I had the heart." "Is she dead, my dear? I see you are in black for some person," asked Madam Passmore.