"Yes, mamma," returned the young girl, smiling and blushing as she
spoke. "It is from Will, and incloses a little note from his
mother--such a nice, kind, affectionate one--saying she is glad she is
to have a daughter at last, and she wants to make my acquaintance as
soon as possible."

They had seated themselves, and Harold, having given his horse into the
care of a stable boy, now followed them, asking in a gay, bantering
tone:

"Am I intruding upon a private conference, Rosie? I know mother may be
intrusted with secrets which you might prefer not to give into my
keeping."

"Certainly that is so, but this is not one of that kind, and you may
listen if you care to," returned Rosie with a light laugh; then she
repeated the item of news just given her mother.

"Ah! I wonder if she does not want an invitation to pay us a visit,"
said Harold.

"Wait," laughed Rosie; "I have not told you all yet. She goes on to
speak of Cousin Arthur as a physician in whom she has great confidence,
and to say that she would like to be in his care for at least a time; so
if we can recommend a good boarding place somewhere in this
neighbourhood she, her husband, and son will come and take possession
for weeks or months; at least until after the wedding."

"By the way," said Harold, "I thought I had heard that Mrs. Croly had
nearly or quite recovered her health while in Europe a few years ago.