Sylvia and Nessie ran off together to the fruiterer's, proud of their errand, and were just engaged in calculating the cost of three lemons at three-halfpence each, when Sylvia gave a gasp of astonishment and delight. Round the corner, and actually coming to their stall, appeared the tall, fair lady and the short, fat one. They stopped to enquire the price of pears, and stood so near that the long _crepe_ mantle of the former was actually brushing against Sylvia's hat. She trembled all over with excitement. Dare she do it? Could she really pluck up her courage and speak to this unknown stranger? She tried half a dozen times, but the words stuck in her throat. Yet she felt she must make the effort, for perhaps Mercy's happiness might hang upon this one solitary chance. "If you please," she began in a very small trembling voice, and touching the lady's sleeve with her hand. But the lady was too busy buying pears to notice, and only fumbled in her pocket for her purse. "If you please," tried Sylvia again, speaking rather louder this time. "I think this little girl wishes to ask you something," said the short, fat lady, addressing her friend. The tall, fair one turned suddenly round towards Sylvia. "What is it, my dear?" she said, somewhat stiffly; "can I tell you anything?" Sylvia flushed scarlet. The critical moment had arrived. "Oh, please," she said, "I thought you hadn't found her yet, and I believe I know where she is!" "Not my Tottie?" exclaimed the lady. "I don't know her real name, but we call her Mercy," said Sylvia. "I heard you say on the promenade that you'd lost her." "So I have. I have done everything in my power to recover her. I even put it into the hands of the police. Where did you find her?" "She's been at school for ever so long," said Sylvia, "at Heathercliffe House," she added, in explanation. "I never dreamt of asking there," said the lady. "I should have thought Miss Kaye wouldn't have kept her. But no doubt she has been a great favourite amongst the girls." "She is. We all love her," declared Sylvia, delighted with the success of her boldness. "But where is she? Have you got her safe at Heathercliffe House?" enquired the lady. "She's here now in the market," replied Sylvia triumphantly. "Where? Oh, where?" "Just in the next row at the pot stall." "Let us go at once," said the tall lady, hastily paying for her fruit, and hurrying away in as much agitation as Sylvia herself. "I don't see her!" she continued in a disappointed tone, when they had turned the corner, looking anxiously among the crockery laid on the ground, and even peeping under the stall. "She's there with Miss Kaye," said Sylvia. "Where, my dear?" "Of course you won't recognize her, because she's grown so, but she's that tall, fair girl with the long, light hair. Oh! May I tell her, or would you rather tell her yourself?" The lady looked first at Sylvia and then at her short friend with a most puzzled expression.