They were surprised on coming in to find Helen sitting on the last step of the stairs, with Dora on her lap, the latter crying bitterly, and Helen using all those means of consolation, which, with the best intention, have generally the effect of making matters worse.  As soon as Elizabeth appeared, Dora sprang towards her, exclaiming, ’Lizzie, dear Lizzie, do you know, Aunt Hazleby says that my mamma is not your mamma, nor Kate’s, nor Helen’s, and I do not like it.  What does she mean?  Lizzie, I do not understand.’

Elizabeth looked up rather fiercely; but, kissing her little sister, said, gently, ’Yes, Dora, it is really true, my own mother lies in the churchyard.  I will shew you where.’

‘And are you, not my sisters?’ asked Dora, holding firmly by the hands of Elizabeth, and Helen.

‘Oh yes, yes, Dora!’ cried Helen, ’we are your sisters, only not quite, the same as Winifred.’

‘And have you no mamma, really no mamma?’ continued Dora looking frightened, although soothed by Elizabeth’s manner, and by feeling that the truth was really told her.

’Not really, Dora; but your mamma is quite the same to us as if she really was our mother,’ said.  Elizabeth, leading the little girl away, and leaving Anne and Helen looking unutterable things at each other.

Helen then went into the large, drawing-room, to fetch some, of her out-of-door apparel which she had left there, and Anne followed her.  No one was in the room but Mrs. Hazleby, who looked more disconcerted than Helen had ever seen her before.  She seemed to think, it necessary to make some apology, and began, ’I am sure I had no notion that, the child did not know it all perfectly at her age.’

’Mamma has always wished to keep the little ones from knowing of any difference as long as possible,’ said Helen, rather indignantly; but recollecting herself, she added, ’I think Dora is rather tired, and perhaps she was the more easily overcome for that reason.’

‘Ah! very likely, poor child,’ said Mrs. Hazleby; ’it was folly to take her to such a ceremony.’

‘She seemed to enjoy it, and enter into it as much as any of us,’ said Helen.

‘Ah! well, some people’s children are vastly clever,’ said Mrs. Hazleby.  ’Do you know where Fido is, Miss Helen? if one may ask you such a question.’

Helen replied very courteously, by an offer to go and look for him.  He was quickly found, and as soon as she had brought him to his mistress, she followed Anne to Elizabeth’s room, where in a short time they were joined by the latter, looking worn and tired, and with the brilliant flush of excitement on her cheeks.

‘Is Dora comforted?’ was the first question asked on her entrance.

‘Oh yes,’ said Elizabeth, ’that was soon settled; she was only scared, so I took her to Mamma, who kissed us both, told Dora she loved us all the same, and so on; which made her quite happy again.’