Sarah shrank away from the window, and clapped her hands with delight. "Why he's coming here, only think of that, Mamma. Oh! I guess it must be the 'good unknown' himself." In another moment all doubt was at an end, and Robert Vavasour in the little sitting-room, welcomed and thanked by Mrs. Neville at least, and Sarah also, if he might judge by her glistening eyes, although she was too shy to say a word, while Amy, if she did not say she was glad to see him, did not rebuke him for coming, nor appear to look on his visit as an intrusion; and soon he was quite at home with them all, and when Amy, who had been out to Hannah, to try and make some addition to their homely dinner, returned, she was surprised to see on what friendly terms he was. "I am afraid, dear mamma," she said, "you are exerting yourself too much. You are so unaccustomed to see a stranger." "Scarcely a stranger, Amy. Mr. Vavasour claims our friendship for his kindness; and besides, he tells me he has known you for some time." "Some two months, is it not?" replied Amy. "Hardly so long, I think, Miss Neville. It seems but yesterday since I first saw you." "Are you only here for the day?" asked Amy. "I am here for a week," he replied; "some good lady in the village has allowed me to take up my abode with her for that time, or it may be longer, as any one would be tempted to remain in the clean pretty room she showed me." "It must be Mrs. Turner, Mamma; her cottage is so very nice." "If it is," replied Mrs. Neville, "you will have no cause to complain, Mr. Vavasour; we stayed with her for a day or two on our first arrival, and were much pleased with her attention, and the cleanliness of the house." "Is this place often visited by strangers? It must in summer be a lovely spot. It is prettier than Brampton, Miss Neville." "Prettier, but not so grand; and the views are not so extensive." "You prefer Brampton?" "Oh, no! Ashleigh is my home, and then I like it for its very quietness." "It will no longer be quiet," replied Mrs. Neville. "Stray visitors have often reached it since I have been here; and now the easy access to it by rail will, of necessity, bring more, and Ashleigh will, perhaps, become immortalized by the lovers of pic-nics. But here is Hannah to announce dinner. You must excuse my joining you, Mr. Vavasour, as I am unable to leave the sofa." After dinner the weather changed; the heavy clouds cleared away, and a faint gleam of sunshine shone out. Amy proposed a walk, as she thought her mother would be glad of a little rest and quiet after her exertion, so with her sister she went with Robert Vavasour down into the village.