As she entered the room at one door some one came in at the other. And the next instant Owlet had flown like a bird into her arms. CHAPTER XXIX ROMA AND HER ASPIRATIONS “Oh, Lady! Lady! Lady! Oh, Lady! Lady! Lady!” cried Owlet, in a wild rapture of delight, as she clung about the neck and bosom of her benefactress. “Owlet! Why, Owlet! Darling! Mr. Merritt—what does all this mean?” demanded Miss Fronde, in supreme astonishment, as she returned the child’s caresses, and raised her eyes to the lawyer’s amused face. He had just entered after Owlet, and now stood looking on the scene. “I did not want her to take you by surprise,” he said. “I wanted to come in first, and tell you that she had been found and brought back; but, heavens! she darted past me and into your arms as soon as the door was opened.” “Oh, Lady! Lady! Lady! I saw you, and I couldn’t help it! I couldn’t! I couldn’t! I couldn’t! I know I’m not possessed of common sense now, but I don’t care! I don’t care! so I’m possessed of you!” exclaimed the child in an ecstasy of joy. “When Owlet becomes calm you will perhaps explain where she was found, how she came here, and who brought her,” Roma said. Mr. Merritt nodded, and sat down. It was not long, however, before the child’s transports subsided, and she lay, quiet and contented, on the bosom of her lady. Presently she said: “Lady, where is dear little Ducky Darling? Did you bring her here with you?” “No, my dear. I could not take her away from her father and mother, you know,” Roma answered. “Oh, no; so you couldn’t. Are you going back soon, Lady?” “In about a month, dear.” “Then we will take Ducky Darling some dolls. She likes dolls, if I don’t. Did she cry after me?” “Yes, dear.” “I knew she would! Poor little Ducky Darling!” said Owlet, and once more she subsided into silence, with her head on Miss Fronde’s bosom. “Am I too heavy for you, Lady? Do I tire you?” she inquired at length. “No, darling; not at all,” Miss Fronde replied, smiling at the idea of herself being fatigued. “Do I bother you a bit, lying here?” “Not in the least.” “Oh! you know it has been so long! so long! since I saw you! So many, many years! years and years! and years! I did think I would never see you no more! Never no more! Never no more! Oh, Lady!” “You shall never leave me again, my dear, if I can possibly help it.” “That man who took me away was not possessed of common sense. Now, was he, Lady?” “I am afraid he had not that excuse for his wickedness; but don’t think anything more about him, dear. Try to compose yourself,” Miss Fronde said gently, smoothing the brown curls away from the flushed little face. “Yes, I will do everything you tell me,” said the child, and with a sigh of infinite satisfaction she subsided into quietude, and soon into sleep.