On the bed, as smooth as cousin Abby's skill in ironing could make it, and adorned with here and there a knot of ribbon which Fidelia had not put on, lay the white dress which was "to be kept for Sunday." "I thought I had better have it all ready," said Nellie hurriedly, "as I thought you might be late. We are going to have company this evening-- just the Newtons, and Conways, and a few others. Mother thought she would like Mrs Kent and the girls to see some of our friends, and this was the best night for them to come. I am sorry it happened so, for you must be tired--though you don't look tired." "I am not a bit tired. And don't look so troubled, child. Oh, yes, I'll wear the white gown--red ribbons and all! I'll do my best to do you credit." "How you talk, Fidelia! But I do want you to look nice. Father says--" But what her father said Fidelia was not to hear. A knock came to the door, and cousin Abby entered with a tray. "Doctor said Miss Fidelia had better have her tea up here, and rest a spell till the company come. She mustn't get too tired, you know," said the old lady, smiling. "Well, there! I might have had the sense to think of that myself, and saved you the trouble," said the delighted Nellie. Fidelia said nothing, but she cleared a place on the table for the tray, and thanked the old lady with a kiss. "If you should drop asleep for half an hour it wouldn't hurt you any," said Cousin Abby as she closed the door. And, in the midst of her questioning as to why these people should be so kind to her, Fidelia did fall asleep, and woke only when, an hour later, Nellie returned ready dressed and eager to help her-- "You look quite nice!" was all Nellie allowed herself to say to her friend as they went downstairs together. "Now they'll see for themselves whether she is beautiful or not," she was saying to herself; but she knew it would not be wise to say it to Fidelia. Of course Miss Austin had to be ready to receive their friends; and Fidelia fortunately found Amos entertaining the minister with an account of the day's sport and the pleasures of a day among the hills. "Here is Miss Fidelia. She knows all about it," said the boy; and they had a pleasant half-hour together. Nellie's triumph began when Judge Newton asked her whether the tall girl standing talking to the minister was the beautiful Miss Avery they had heard so much about. More than one asked the same question. "Oh, no," said Nellie demurely, "that is only my room-mate, Fidelia Marsh! Wait till you see Miss Avery." And she had another little triumph when, drawn towards the piano by the exquisite touch of Miss Kent, Fidelia almost unconsciously put out her hand to turn the page of the difficult music she was playing, and kept on turning it to the end. It was the look of surprise which passed between Miss Kent and her cousin that delighted Fidelia's friend. "You play, do you not?" said Miss Kent, rising.