"Madam, and my mistresses," he said, as he threw open the door, "I have the honour to announce the most excellent Mistress Milisent Lewthwaite." Tears and laughter were mixed for more than one present, as Milisent flew into her mother's arms, and then gave a fervent hug to her sister Edith. "I would come with Robin!" she cried. "It feels like a whole age since I saw one of you!" "My dear heart, such a journey!" said her mother. "And where is the dear Robin, then?" "Oh, he shall be here anon. He tarried but to see to the horses, and such like; and I set off with Davie--I felt as though I could not bear another minute." "Madam, I give you to wit," said David, with fun in his eyes, "this mother of mine, that had not seen me for an whole year, spake but three words to me--`How fare you, my boy?' `Help me to 'light,' and `Now let us be off to Westminster.'" "Well, I had seen thee in a year," answered Milisent, echoing his laugh, "and them not for three years, less a month." A little soft echoing laugh came from Lady Louvaine. "Shall I tell thee, my dear heart, what I think Aunt Joyce should say to thee? `Well done, Lettice Eden's daughter!'" "Ah, Mother dear!" said Milisent, kissing her mother's hand, "I may be like what you were as a young maid, but never shall I make by one-half so blessed a saint in mine old age." "That must you ask your grandchildren," said Temperance. "Nay, I will ask somebody that can judge better," replied Milisent, laughing. "What sayest thou, Robin?" Mr Lewthwaite had entered so quietly that only his wife's quick eyes had detected his presence. He came forward now, kissed Lady Louvaine's hand, and then laying his hand on Milisent's bright head, he said softly-- "`The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her; she will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness. Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.'" Whether he would have gone further was never to be known, for a sudden rap at the door preceded Charity. "Madam, here's Mistress Abbott, and hoo will come in. I cannot keep her out. I've done my best." And they were all feeling so happy, and yet, for various reasons, so humble,--the two are very apt to go together,--that, as Edith observed afterwards, there was charity enough and to spare even for Silence Abbott. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note 1. "On Candlemas Day, you should see a white horse a mile off," is a proverb in the North, and perhaps elsewhere. CHAPTER FOURTEEN. ENDS WITH JOYCE MORRELL. "Vanished is each bright illusion; They have faded one by one: Yet they gaze with happy faces, Westwards to the setting sun:-- "Talking softly of the future, Looking o'er the golden sands, Towards a never-fading city, Builded not with earthly hands." Cyrus Thornton.