"I have said quite enough," said Alice, after a pause; "you know what you want, my dear Ellen, and what you ought to do. I shall leave you for a little while to change my dress, for I have been walking and riding all the morning. Make a good use of the time while I am gone." Ellen did make good use of the time. When Alice returned, she met her with another face than she had worn all that day, humbler and quieter; and flinging her arms around her, she said — "I will ask Aunt Fortune's forgiveness; — I feel I can do it now." "And how about _forgiving_, Ellen?" "I think God will help me to forgive her," said Ellen; "I have asked him. At any rate I will ask her to forgive me. But oh! Miss Alice, what would have become of me without you!" "Don't lean upon me, dear Ellen; remember you have a better Friend than I always near you; trust in Him; if I have done you any good, don't forget it was He brought me to you yesterday afternoon." "There's just one thing that troubles me now," said Ellen, — "Mamma's letter. I am thinking of it all the time; I feel as if I should fly to get it!" "We'll see about that. Cannot you ask your aunt for it?" "I don't like to." "Take care, Ellen; there is some pride there yet." "Well, I will try," said Ellen. "but sometimes, I know, she would not give it to me if I were to ask her. But I'll try, if I can." "Well, now to change the subject — at what o'clock did you dine to-day?" "I don't know, Ma’am — at the same time we always do, I believe." "And that is twelve o'clock, isn't it?" "Yes, Ma’am; but I was so full of coming here and other things? that I couldn't eat." "Then I suppose you would have no objection to an early tea?" "No, Ma’am — whenever you please," said Ellen? laughing. "I shall please it pretty soon. I have had no dinner at all to-day, Ellen; I have been out and about all the morning, and had just taken a little nap when you came in. Come this way, and let me show you some of my house-keeping." She led the way across the hall to the room on the opposite side; a large, well-appointed, and spotlessly neat kitchen. Ellen could not help exclaiming at its pleasantness. "Why, yes — I think it is. I have been in many a parlour that I do not like as well. Beyond this is a lower kitchen, where Margery does all her rough work; nothing comes up the steps that lead from that to this but the very nicest and daintiest of kitchen matters. Margery, is my father gone to Thirlwall?" "No, Miss Alice — he's at Carra-carra — Thomas heard him say he wouldn't be back early." "Well, I shall not wait for him. Margery, if you will put the kettle on and see to the fire, I'll make some of my cakes for tea." "I'll do it, Miss Alice; it's not good for you to go so long without eating."