Everybody flocked to the door to bid him good-bye, and then Aunt Lilias
stooped down to ask Dolores if she were quite rested and felt quite
well, Mysie standing anxiously by as if she felt her a great charge.

'Quite well, quite rested, thank you,' the girl answered in her stiff,
shy way.

'There is half an hour to spare before Miss Vincent comes. The
children generally spend it in feeding the creatures. I am not going
to give a holiday, because I think people get more pleasantly
acquainted over something, than over nothing, to do, but you need not
begin lessons to-day if you had rather settle your thoughts and write
your letters.'

'I had rather begin at once,' said Dolores, who thought she would now
establish her pre-eminence at the cost of any amount of jealousy.

'Very well, then, when you hear the gong--'

'Mamma,' said Mysie solemnly, after long waiting, 'she says she had
rather not be called out of her name.'

'I thought you had been called Dolly, my dear.'

'Yes, at home,' with a strong emphasis.

'Well, my dear, I dare say it may be better to keep to your proper name
at once. We won't take liberties with it, till you feel as if you
could call this home,' said Lady Merrifield, looking as if she would
have kissed her niece on the slightest encouragement, but no one ever