fire -- some one had once observed to Anna that he
would probably end by becoming a millionaire. It
is always well to be in with such lucky folk.

As she opened the gate of the Trellis House, she
saw that her mistress's sitting-room was lit up, and
before she could put the key in the lock of the front
door, it opened, and Rose exclaimed in an anxious
tone, "Oh, Anna! Where have you been? Where
is my letter? I looked all over the kitchen, but I
couldn't find it."

Old Anna smilingly drew it out from the inside
pocket of her jacket. "There, there!" she said soothingly.
"Here it is, dearest child. I thought it safer
to take it along with me than to leave it in the
house."

"Oh, thank you -- yes, that was quite right!" the
girl looked greatly relieved. "Mr. Robey said he
would very much like to read it, so I came back for
it. And Anna?"

"Yes, my gracious miss."

"I am going to stay there to supper after all. Mr.
and Mrs. Robey, and even Sir Jacques, seem anxious
that I should do so."

"And I have gone out and got you such a nice
supper," said the old woman regretfully.

"I'll have it for lunch tomorrow!" Rose looked
very happy and excited. There was a bright colour
in her cheeks. "Mr. Robey thinks that Mr. Blake
will soon be getting ninety hours' leave." Her heart
was so full of joy she felt she must tell the delightful
news.

"That is good -- very good!" said Anna cordially.

[[233]]

p232 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p233w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p234

v?