"No, he never gave me his photograph, but he's very--I mean he is quite handsome." "You needn't have told me that, for, of course, I know it. He is handsome in your eyes. You have no photograph, however, to prove your words; you are just in love with this youth, and your father wants you to return because he and that grand lady of his intend you to marry the old gentleman with the money. What sort is the old man? Is he in trade, in the butter business, or tobacco, or what?" "Oh, no, he's a lord," I said feebly. "Heaven preserve us--a lord! Then if you married him you'd be a countess?" "I don't know--perhaps I should; I don't want to marry him." "You blessed child! And he is rich, I suppose?" "I'm sure he is very rich, but then I don't care about riches." "Heather, you mustn't keep me the whole day chattering. When a girl begins on the subject of her sweethearts she never stops, and I have plenty of things to attend to. Here's a list of provisions I wrote out early this morning. I want you to go into the town and buy them for me. Don't forget one single thing; go right through the list and buy everything. Here's thirty shillings; you oughtn't to spend anything like all that. But pay for the things down on the nail the minute you have purchased them. Now then, off with you, and I will consider the subject of your sweethearts. Upon my word, to think of a mite like you having two!" I left Aunt Penelope's room and went out and bought the things she required. She had a troublesome lot of commissions, and they took me some time to execute. When I had done so I returned home again. "You are to go up to your aunt's room, and as quickly as you can, miss," said Jonas, when I found myself in the little hall. "Jonas," I said, "several nice things will be sent in from the shops, and I have got a little bird for auntie's tea, and I want you to cook it just beautifully." "You trust me," said Jonas. "I'll see to that." He left me, and I went upstairs to Aunt Penelope's room. "The doctor has been, Heather, and he says you are the finest medicine he ever heard of, and that my chest is much better, and I am practically out of the wood; but here's a telegram from your father." "Oh!" I said, breathlessly, "has he discovered anything?" "Read," she answered, gazing at me with her glittering black eyes. I read the following words:-- Leaving Paddington by the 11.50 train. Hope to be with you about 1.30. GORDON GRAYSON. "How did he know? Why is he coming?" I asked, my face turning very white. "He is coming, if you wish to know, Heather, because I asked him to come. And now, you will have the goodness to sit down by me. No, I am not hungry for dinner. I won't touch any food until you know the story I am about to tell you. Sit down where I can see your face, my child. Your father is coming, of course, because I wish it, and now I have something to say to you."