When, therefore, Dora reached the breakfast-room, she found her sister seated behind the coffee-urn. "It is rather provoking of you to be so late, Dora," said H. R. "We have had to keep breakfast on the table for an hour, just on your account." "You needn’t have done that," replied Dora, coldly; "I only want a cup of tea and some bread and butter." "You won’t look much like a bride to-morrow if you starve yourself to-day," observed H. R. Dora made no rejoinder, but took her seat at the table. "There isn’t any tea--won’t coffee do?" inquired H. R. "_Any_thing will do," said Dora, shortly. "Dear me!" cried H. R. "I hope you will be in a nicer mood when you sit down to breakfast for the first time with Harold." "I expect he’ll say pleasanter things to me than you do," returned Dora. H. R. was taken somewhat aback. "Here is some coffee," she said, more amicably; "there is a plate of bacon and eggs for you in the fender," she added. "I couldn’t _touch_ it!" cried Dora. "I don’t see why you should lose your appetite because you’re going to be married to-morrow," said H. R. "Don’t you? Well, perhaps you’ll understand my feelings better when you find _yourself_ on the eve of _your_ wedding day!" snapped Dora. H. R., having no reply ready, pretended to read the morning paper. At length something occurred to her "Oh, by the way, dear," she said, when Dora had sipped her coffee and nibbled a few mouthfuls of bread and butter, "some more presents have come for you." "Oh!" said Dora, indifferently "They are on the hall table--shall I get them for you?" "If you like. I am in no hurry." But H. R. had recognised Jim’s writing on one parcel, and wanted to watch her sister’s face when Dora opened the packet. Jim, it should be added had placed the presents from Koko and himself on the hall table very late on the previous night. H. R. left the breakfast-room, and presently returned bearing three parcels in her arms. "I think there must be one from Frank, too; he was wrapping up something very mysteriously before he went to school this morning." Dora turned over the three parcels which H. R. set down on the table before her. After scrutinising the writing on each, she opened that addressed to her in Frank’s irregular round-hand. Frank’s present proved to be a volume of Tennyson’s works in a handsome morocco leather cover. "Dear Frank! what a nice present!" cried Dora. "He must have saved up his pocket-money for months!" "He gets a good many tips," said H. R., drily. "Pretty girls’ brothers generally do," observed a harsh voice at the door. Following the remark came Miss Bird herself. The maiden lady duly admired the Tennyson. "The other two presents," said H. R., "are from Mr Somers and Dr Mortimer, and Dora _won’t_ open them because she knows I’m burning to see them." "And make nasty remarks about them when you’ve seen them?" suggested Miss Bird.