Mrs. Earle, looking very fair and graceful in silver-gray silk and pale, gleaming pearls, looked admiringly at her lovely daughter. "No, I am afraid Jaquelina will not come," she said; "one of the neighbors was telling me just now that she was lost in the woods last night and thoroughly drenched by the rain, so it is just possible she may be ill. Had you not heard it, dear?" "Yes; Mr. Brown told me," answered Violet. "And only think, mamma, she met the captain of the outlaws, and he guided her to the road. Was it not romantic? I should not have expected such courtesy from such a dreadful man." "It was perfectly shameful for Mrs. Meredith to have sent her for the doctor at midnight," said Mrs. Earle, warmly. "They tell me there was no real necessity for such a thing. The child only had a common attack of croup, which any sensible mother would have known how to subdue with simple domestic remedies. Mr. Brown, their near neighbor, tells me it is playing about the floor, as well as usual, to-day." "Poor Lina! That terrible man might have killed her," said pretty Violet, with a shudder. "Look, Violet--who is that coming now?" said Mrs. Earle suddenly. Violet looked hastily. "Oh," she said, "it is Mr. Meredith--he is bringing her after all." The farmer came up the steps, Jaquelina following in his wake, a veil tied about her head, a thin summer shawl wrapped about her shoulders. "They told me I should find you here. I have brought my niece to the party, Mrs. Earle. She had a cold, but I couldn't persuade her to stay at home," he said. "I will go back, now, as wife and Dollie are alone, but if you'll tell me when the party will be over, I'll bring back the mare for Lina." "You need not trouble about that," Mrs. Earle replied as he turned away. "I'll see that she gets back safely, Mr. Meredith." Then she turned to Jaquelina, who stood beside Violet, gazing with timid delight at the illuminated lawn and the moving groups of people. "You may lay aside your wraps, dear," she said, kindly. "I hope you will enjoy our little party." "I _know_ I shall," the girl answered, gazing around her with sparkling eyes. "Oh! Mrs. Earle, how beautiful it all is. It seems just like fairyland!" Mrs. Earle smiled indulgently as she helped her to remove the plain shawl and veil that enveloped her; then she started back with a little cry of surprise that was faintly re-echoed by Violet. Jaquelina's sensitive lips quivered; her dark eyes filled with quick tears. "I was afraid the dress would not do," she said, falteringly. "I will put on my wraps and go home again, Mrs. Earle." She was turning toward the steps, but Violet caught her arm. "Oh, you little goose!" she said, laughing, "come back. Where _did_ you get such a sweet dress?" "_Is_ it pretty? Will it do, indeed?" asked Jaquelina, radiant. "It is lovely," Mrs. Earle said, kindly. "It makes you look extremely pretty, my dear."