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A few days before their departure for Jersey City, which was to be their final destination before returning to England, Miss Sidmouth received a letter which made a slight difference in her plans.

“I shall go back sooner than I intended, Pamela,” she announced. “This is a letter from a very dear, very old friend, Georgina Curtis. I have not seen her for years—she has been taking care of her brother’s children (he is a widower) in Dublin; but it was an old arrangement that as soon as they were old enough to need her no longer she should make her home with me, or at least come for a long visit. Now she writes to say that she is free, and I shall want to go home as soon as possible, to be ready for her.”

Miss Sidmouth was quite excited. This plan dated almost from her schooldays, and after all, much as she had enjoyed her visits, there was nothing like one’s own home and one’s own ways. Pamela, on the contrary, felt her heart sink. To go back so soon-she could not bear the thought of it. There was no real welcome waiting for her, she knew, as matters stood. No, no! She must wait until after Tony had arrived and everything had been settled. . . . And Miss Sidmouth would not want her any more now that was evident.

“I’m afraid I never was much use to her,” she thought doubtfully, “and this great friend will be all the companion she cares for. What am I to do?”

“I expect you are ready for a change too, dear child, and they will be glad to have you back.”

“Not really, you know, Miss Sidmouth. Aunt Sophia sounds very disapproving still.”

“Well, you see, my dear, that young man has never turned up again, just as they thought, so the place will have to be considered yours. In fact, I don’t think you need doubt your right to it any longer.”

“Oh, but he will turn up again, I know.” Pamela