Mrs. Carlyon and Miss Winter reached Paris, on their way home, on the 18th of May. There was no especial need for them to hurry. They had received a letter from Mr. Denison--written, as usual, by Hubert Stone, but signed with the Squire's inimitable autograph--a few days previously, in which the 1st of June was named as the date when Ella would be looked for at Heron Dyke; and it was further intimated that the Squire would like to see Mrs. Carlyon at the same time. Under these circumstances, Mrs. Carlyon decided that a week could not be more pleasantly spent than in Paris, after which they could still afford two or three days in London before going down to Norfolk. On the morning of the 20th the ladies went out shopping, and when they got back to their hotel, Ella found a telegram awaiting her. It was from Hubert Stone: "I deeply regret to inform you that Mr. Denison died very suddenly last evening, about midnight. Please telegraph back any arrangements you may wish to have carried out; also say when you may be expected at the Hall." To Ella the shock was sudden and terrible. Having lost both father and mother when she was very young, all the affection of her heart, which would have been theirs, had they lived, was lavished on her uncle. It was as though she had been orphaned at one blow. Her anguish was made more bitter by the fact of her not having been with her uncle at the last. Why had he sent her away when he was so ill? Why had he so persistently refused to allow her to return earlier? And now she should never see him more! Mrs. Carlyon took all needful travelling and business arrangements on herself, and left Ella to nurse her grief undisturbed. They found themselves in London within twenty-four hours of the receipt of the telegram. Here they were compelled to stay all night, and after ordering their mourning, they started next day for Norfolk--leaving Higson behind, who had latterly been far from well. "A little rest will do her good," said Mrs. Carlyon. The close carriage, attended by Hubert Stone, met them at the station on their arrival, and they were at once driven to the Hall. A short while given to her natural grief and emotion, and Ella summoned Aaron Stone to her presence in one of the smaller sitting-rooms. The blinds were down; the room looked dark and dreary. Aaron came in, creeping and trembling, his head down. He was a crusty man, but faithful, and his master had been very dear to him. Ella felt for his grief. She advanced a few steps impulsively, and took one of his rugged hands into her soft palms. "Oh, Aaron, old friend--you were his friend, and you are my friend--if you could have sent me word!" she sobbed. "If I could but have seen him once more before he was lost to me for ever!" "There was no time to do anything--there wasn't really, Miss Ella," whispered the old man, his gnarled features working convulsively. "Nobody knew, nobody thought, what was going to happen, all suddenly, in the night."