They did but stop and send in their cards and letters, they made no visit anywhere; but preferred to leave it to the option of their friends and correspondents to make their acquaintance or not. They returned to the Morley House at four in the afternoon. Anna went into her bedroom to take off her bonnet; but Drusilla hurried at once into the parlor to look after her child. She found little Lenny quite safe; but boiling over with excitement, not to say indignation. “Why, what is the matter with my little man?” inquired the mother, sitting down and lifting the child to her lap. “Man! man! tut off Lenny turl!” exclaimed the child, pointing to his head, while his blue eyes flashed and his rosy cheeks flushed. “Cut off Lenny’s curl? Who did it? Pina! who did this?” inquired Drusilla, looking at the short lock from which the curl had been severed. “Indeed, ma’am, I don’t know! I left Master Leonard in charge of the chambermaid only one minute, while I ran to get his milk and bread, and when I came back it was done.” “And what did the chambermaid say?” “She said as how——” “Never mind! I had rather hear the account from herself. Go and try and find that chambermaid, and fetch her here.” Pina went on the errand and soon returned with a blooming English girl, who curtsied and stood waiting orders. “What is your name?” inquired Drusilla. “Susan, ma’am.” “Well, Susan, did you have charge of this little child for a few minutes?” “Yes, ma’am,” answered the girl, blushing. “Then how came you to let any one cut off his curl?” “Indeed, ma’am, I couldn’t help it! It was done so sudden. And I didn’t dare oppose my lord.” “My lord?” “My Lord Killcrichtoun it was, ma’am, who did it.” “Killcrichtoun!” repeated Drusilla, as a light broke on her mind. “_Killchristian!_” exclaimed Pina, in dismay. “_Killchristian!!_ It’s a wonder he had not cut off the child’s head as well as his hair! Good gracious! was ever such a heathenish, savage, barbarious name!” “So it was one of the gentlemen of the house who did it?” inquired Drusilla, striving to control the excess of her emotions. “Yes, ma’am; but indeed I thought by the way he behaved that he had a right to do it, and that the child was some kin to him. He don’t act so like a mad gentleman in general, ma’am.” “Tell me all about it.” “Well, ma’am, now I think upon it, I almost believe he must have watched his opportunity; for as soon as ever the nursemaid was gone, he came to the door, looked all around, and seeing no one but me and my charge, took the boy up in his arms and hugged him and kissed him and fondled him, and almost cried over him; and then before I could suspect, much less prevent his doing it, he out with his pen-knife and whipped off that pretty golden curl. And then he hurried away. I think he heard the nursemaid coming, for she was in the room the next minute. And you came in almost immediately after, ma’am.” “Then this has just occurred?”