"I must prepare you for a surprise, before your return. You will
find a strange lady established at home. Don't suppose there is
any prospect of her bidding us good-by, if we only wait long
enough. She is already (with father's full approval) as much a
member of the family as we are. You shall form your own unbiased
opinion of her, Eunice. For the present, I say no more."

I asked Mrs. Staveley what she thought of my news from home.
She said: "Your father approves of the lady, my dear. I suppose
it's good news."

But Mrs. Staveley did not look as if she believed in the good
news, for all that.


CHAPTER XIV.

HELENA'S DIARY.

To-day I went as usual to the Scripture-class for girls. It was
harder work than ever, teaching without Eunice to help me.
Indeed, I felt lonely all day without my sister. When I got home,
I rather hoped that some friend might have come to see us, and
have been asked to stay to tea. The housemaid opened the door
to me. I asked Maria if anybody had called.

"Yes, miss; a lady, to see the master."

"A stranger?"