“I will go right down,” said Mrs. Dudley.  “We must find some way to bring them together without arousing suspicion.”

It was finally decided that Polly should go over to the Home and up to Miss Sterling’s room, as usual, leaving Miss Sterling to see Mrs. Adlerfeld and to give her Mrs. Dudley’s invitation to spend the rest of the day at her house.

Happily, Miss Sniffen was not in sight as Polly made her quick way to the third floor.

“You dear child!  Then you’re not sick!  I was afraid you were.”

Miss Sterling held her at arm’s length, to make sure of her health.

“Sick?  Not a bit!” laughed Polly.  “Mother thought I’d better not come until Miss Sniffen had had a chance to forget she sent me home—­that’s all!  I wasn’t coming till to-morrow, but something happened—­the loveliest thing!”

“What?”

“Come, sit down, and I’ll tell you!”

“I can’t imagine what it is!”

“No, you can’t!  You couldn’t guess if you had a year to do it in!  The nicest man has come from New York to see Mrs. Adlerfeld, and they wouldn’t let him in here!  Wasn’t that mean!  So he came over to our house, to ask if we knew her and could help him out.  He used to know Mrs. Adlerfeld in Sweden, and he’s bound to see her!  Oh, he’s so lovable!  His hair is as white!  But he doesn’t look old.  Can’t you come over pretty soon and see him?  Though I don’t know as you’d better.  That might give it away—­to have two come!  Mother wants you to tell Mrs. Adlerfeld that she would like to have her spend the day with us.  Make her come just as quick as she can.  You can tell her that it is Mr. Victor von Dalin that is there—­isn’t that a sweet name?  Oh, I do hope she will come!  He’ll have a fit if she doesn’t!  Wasn’t Miss Sniffen horrible the other day?  When we were having such a good time!  I must go—­no, I guess I’ll wait till you’ve been up and found out.  Then I can tell him.”

Polly waited and waited, wondering, after five minutes, why Miss Sterling did not come back.

“Dear me!” she thought anxiously, “I hope Mrs. Adlerfeld hasn’t fainted or anything!”

The time dragged slowly away.  Ten o’clock went by.  Polly wandered restlessly around the room.  She took up a book, but could not read.  Once she started to go down the hall to find out; then she concluded she had better not.  She looked out of the window, but could think of nothing but the worrying fact of Miss Nita’s prolonged absence.

At last she heard her light step in the corridor.  She sprang to the door.

“What in the world—­”

Miss Sterling motioned for silence, and they hurried to the further side of the room.

“I knew you’d be frantic,” she began; “but I couldn’t help it.  Just before I reached Mrs. Adlerfeld’s room I heard Mrs. Nobbs’s voice in there, so I stopped at Mrs. Albright’s.  I knew it would be all right to tell her, they are so intimate.  She is pleased as we are.  But it did seem as if Mrs. Nobbs never would go!  Oh, the dear woman is so excited that I don’t know whether she will get dressed straight or not!  Mrs. Albright is helping her.  His coming has upset her completely.  But it is a happy up-setting!  You can see that!  I am so glad!”