for money!" When, however, the door turned on its hinges, and they were once more under that dear hospitable roof, where they had been so happy many a time, all fears and feelings, save the pleasurable, subsided, and they rushed forward into the library with schoolgirl impatience.
"Young ladies!" cried Mr. Palmer, in surprise, but not of pleasure.
"My dear girls!" said his lady, snatching the nearest to her heart, "how delighted I am to see you!"
"And we are so glad to come!" said Georgiana.
"And so ashamed and so sorry!" added Helen, looking pitiably towards Mr. Palmer.
"I must ask you a question in the first place, a very vulgar one, I confess—'Does your mother know you're out?'"
"Oh, yes! she sent us first to Mr. Penrhyn's, and then to Mr. Palmer's."
"I am very glad Lady Anne is come to her senses," replied Mrs. Palmer—"very glad indeed."
"As I am not her keeper, such lucid intervals give me little pleasure, I confess," said Mr. Palmer, drily.
"Come, come, Palmy!" said the lady, "don't speak in that way before these dear girls, who I am certain love us both very much, and who have had nothing but punishment since they were here before."
"That's true! for life itself would be a punishment to me, if spent under Lady Anne's roof; however, I don't want to grieve the poor things, so I will say not
