Charles had positively, though most kindly, insisted that she should treat him no further that very morning; she had bade him adieu with even more than her usual fondness, and looked towards him long after she had ceased to see him, and began to think how many hours must pass before she should speak either to him or any other person, when the sound of wheels caused her to look up, and become sensible that a carriage was approaching either her own house, or that to which it was united by a bondage not unlike that of the Siamese twins.
It was Mrs. Palmer's coach—"dear, good Mrs. Palmer." Before the bell could be rung, she had stepped through the casement-window, which opened into her little front grassplot, and flown to open the garden door. With what transports did she behold the faces of her sisters! how soon were they all held in the arms and to the hearts of each other!
Yet Louisa looked beyond them, but she could not look beyond Mrs. Palmer, who slowly descended the steps, for her eyes were full of delicious tears, as she gazed on the lovely group, and congratulated herself on having brought them together. In another moment, Louisa's arms were around her also, welcoming her to Violet Lodge, and pouring on her a thousand thanks, yet asking, with trepidation, "have you brought the dear girls clandestinely?"
"No, my dear child; I brought them from Lady Anne's house, with her full permission; and, what
