“Now look here, dear woman, s’pose the lady did invite me along of you and Em. It was just out of kindness and politeness to your husband and Em.’s father, not that she cared about seeing me. And don’t you see, if she was _ever_ so friendly to me, as she _is_, and has shown herself to be bringing us all to the Wilderness manor-house, _still_, in this first meeting, don’t you think she’d prefer to see you _without_ me? You’ll have such a deal of woman’s affairs to talk about, you know!” “Father is right, mother,” said Em. “Well, then, come along,” exclaimed Susan. “And John, you had better fasten the boat and walk up and down in the sunshine on the beach. If you sit there you will take cold.” With this parting advice Susan followed her daughter, who led the way up the narrow path leading from the landing through the belt of silver maples, and through the ornamented grounds, and up terrace upon terrace, until they reached the middle and highest part of the island upon which the mansion of white stone stood. Susan was loud in her expressions of admiration at the beauty of the place. When they reached the marble steps that led to the main entrance, Em. passed up quickly before her mother and rang the bell. A colored boy about sixteen years old opened the door. “Is Mrs. Lynn at home?” inquired Em., after she had recovered from her momentary surprise at the unexpected sight of a stranger. The page took a deliberate view of the mother, and then inquired in his turn: “Name o’ Palmer?” “Yes, Mrs. Palmer and her daughter,” answered Em. “My mist’ess is at home. Walk in,” said the boy, opening wide the door. CHAPTER XXIII EMOLYN’S WEIRD We maun a’dree our weird.—MEG MERRILES. They entered the beautiful white hall, with its rainbow windows, around on which Susan Palmer stared with open-eyed admiration and wonder. “Mrs. Palmer!” exclaimed the page, throwing wide open a door leading into an elegant little parlor on the right-hand side of the hall, opposite the grand saloon. A lady dressed in gray rose from a sofa and advanced to meet the visitors. “Oh, Miss Emolyn!” exclaimed Mrs. Palmer, so overcome with emotion at the very sight of the lady that she sank down at once into the arm-chair which Em. quick as thought wheeled to her side. Meantime Mrs. Lynn took the girl by the hand and kissed her before turning attention to Susan. “Oh, Miss Emolyn! That I should live to see you again! Thank Heaven! Oh, thank Heaven! And you are not changed so much! Oh, no, indeed!” exclaimed Susan Palmer in almost hysterical excitement. “Nor are you changed much in all these years, dear old friend, or, indeed, changed at all, except for the better! You are plumper and rosier than you used to be, Mrs. Palmer,” said Emolyn, as she stood by her chair, took her hand and kissed her gently.