Jane moved inwards, though without speaking, and Rough darted forward and shut the door carefully. 'Thank you, sir,' said Mrs. Fairchild, with a little smile that lighted up her whole face. She gave a half unconscious glance at her delicate-looking husband, which explained her anxiety. Bridget drew near her and looked up in her face. Somehow since Mrs. Fairchild had come in every one seemed more friendly and at ease. 'Are you Ce--Cel--the little-girl-in-the-bazaar's mamma?' asked Biddy. Mrs. Fairchild smiled again. 'Yes,' she said, touching Celestina on the shoulder, 'I am _her_ mother. Did you see her at the bazaar?' 'She was buying chairs, and that made me buy one too,' replied Biddy rather vaguely. 'The young ladies met me after that in the street and asked me the way here. I showed them. That was why I was in the shop,' explained Celestina, on whose brow a little wrinkle of uneasiness had remained till she could tell her mother the reason of her moment's lingering. 'I see,' said Mrs. Fairchild, who would indeed have found it difficult to believe that Celestina had been careless or disobedient; and at the words Celestina's face recovered its usual quiet, thoughtful, but peaceful expression. Bridget pressed up a little closer to Mrs. Fairchild. 'You're not vexed with her then,' she said. 'She was quite good. I thought at first you were going to be rather a cross mamma.' '_Bridget_,' said Rosalys, colouring, and in an awful tone. When Alie said 'Bridget' like that it meant a great deal. 'I didn't mean,' began Biddy as usual. Celestina's mother turned to Rosalys. 'Please do not be vexed with her, miss,' she said, with again that winning smile. And the smile that stole over Alie's face in response made Mrs. Fairchild's gaze linger on the lovely child. 'No, my dear,' she went on, speaking now to Biddy, 'it was quite right of Celestina to show you the way; and I am glad you happened to meet her.' During this time, which was really only a minute or so, for it takes much longer to relate a little scene of this kind than for it actually to pass, Mr. Fairchild had been busy with the contents of the envelope Randolph had given him. It contained, besides a note, a list of some books which Mr. Vane wished to have sent as soon as possible. After knitting his brows over this for some moments, the bookseller came forward. 'I find that Mr. Vane would like this order executed at once,' he said, addressing Randolph. 'I don't know, I'm sure,' said Rough; and indeed how was he to know, seeing that the letter had only been given over to his charge by Mr. Redding? Mr. Fairchild looked perplexed.