Eloise was too much excited to care who went with her, and with Mrs. Biggs she was soon driving up the broad avenue under the stately maples to the door of the Crompton House. Peter saw the carriage, and thinking it came from town with callers on Amy, went out to say she could not see them, as she was not feeling well and was lying down. "But I must see her," Eloise said, alighting first and brushing past him, while he stood open-mouthed with surprise. "She thinks she is Amy's girl, and, I swan, I begin to think so, too," Mrs. Biggs said, trying to explain and getting things a good deal mixed, and so bewildering the old man that he paid no attention to Eloise, who, with the cloak on her arm, was in the hall and saying to a maid who met her, "Take me to Mrs. Amy." All her timidity was gone, as she gave the order like one who felt perfectly at home. "Mrs. Amy is asleep, and I don't like to disturb her. She is unusually nervous this morning. Will you see the Colonel instead?" the girl said, awed by Eloise's air of authority. "My business is with Mrs. Amy, but perhaps I'd better see Col. Crompton first," she replied. Mrs. Biggs and Peter were in the house by this time, and heard what Eloise was saying. "Better not," Peter began. "I don't know as you can see him. You stay here. I'll inquire." He started up the stairs, followed by Eloise, who had no idea of staying behind. "Wait," he said, motioning her back as he reached the Colonel's door, and saw her close beside him. "Let me go in first." He left the door ajar and walked into the room where the Colonel was sitting just as he had sat the morning before, when Jake's letter and Eloise's note were brought to him. He had not slept at all during the night, and was in a trembling condition, with a feeling of numbness in his limbs which he did not like. "Well?" he said sharply, as Peter came in, and he saw by his face that something had happened. "What's up now?" "Nothing, but Miss Smith, the teacher," Peter replied. "She wants to see you." "Miss Smith, the normal? Do you mean Eliza Ann? Tell her to go away. I can't see anybody," the Colonel said. "I'll tell her, but I'm afraid she won't go," Peter replied, starting for the door, through which a little figure came so swiftly as nearly to knock him down, and Eloise, who had forgotten her lameness, stood before the astonished Colonel, her face glowing with excitement, and her eyes shining like stars as she confronted him. Old as he was, the Colonel was not insensible to female beauty, and the rare loveliness of this young girl moved him with something like admiration, and made his voice a little softer as he said, "Are you Eliza Ann Smith? What do you want?"