Then she took Em.’s traveling-bag from her hands and began to unbutton her waterproof, which was fastened from her neck to her feet. When this was done Em. threw off her cloak and unpinned a looped skirt and shook it down, and appeared in a simple but elegant blue silk dress, trimmed on the bosom and sleeves with pure Valenciennes lace. “Why, Miss EM.!” cried the little maid in glad surprise. “If that ain’t jes’ like Cinderella!” “Lieutenant Bruce told me there was to be company at dinner, and so I put on the best dress I owned—a present from my benefactress—to grace it,” she explained as she went to the glass to rearrange her golden auburn hair. “Let me run to the deservatory for some white roses, Miss Em., one for your head an’ one for your breas’. I won’t be gone long!” exclaimed Liza, dashing out of the room without waiting for an answer. She soon returned, bringing a bunch of fresh, half-open white roses, which Em., after thanking the girl warmly, arranged in her hair and on her bosom. She had just put these finishing touches to her toilet when the dinner-bell rang. “That’s the last bell, Miss Em. The first one rang half an hour ago, ’fore you ’rived, I reckon,” said Liza. “I am quite ready,” said the young lady as she passed out of the room and went downstairs. On entering the drawing-room she found the family assembled there. A group near the upper end fixed her attention. A tall, dark, handsome man, whom she instantly recognized by his portrait to be Leonidas Bruce, stood with the Lady of Edengarden leaning on his arm. Near them stood Commodore Bruce and his sister. Not far off were all the other members of the family circle. As Em. entered her benefactress dropped the arm of the gentleman on whom she had been leaning and advanced to meet her youthful protégée. “Come, my love, you have heard how happy we are all rendered by Mr. Bruce’s return. I wish to present you to him,” said the lady as she drew the girl’s arm within her own and led her straight up to the gentleman. “This is my dear young friend, Emolyn Palmer, Mr. Bruce, and I know you will love her for her own sake as well as for mine.” “She is enough like you to be your sister. I am very glad to see her,” replied Lonny as he offered his hand to the timid child before him. “I hope you will let me say how rejoiced I am at your return and at your happiness,” said Em. shyly. “Thank you, my dear girl. I hope you will be as happy with us both as you have been with your friend here.” “Oh, indeed I _know_ I shall be even much happier,” replied the girl; and if she could have spoken her whole thoughts she would have added: “For—I do not understand it, but—I love you just as much as I do love her.” Em.’s lips did not utter this, but her radiant face said a great deal more. Then she received and returned the greetings of the other ladies. “Well, we are waiting for Dr. Willet and Mrs. Warde,” said the commodore.