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Rh Emily," said Beatrice: "I must resign my office by degrees; but being at home will do wonders for her." "Nay," said Emily, smiling, "I shall want very little nursing now—I feel so well this evening." Even sorrow for "the dear child" gave way before the "hospitable cares" on which the housekeeper was "intent." A bright fire blazed in the grate, the arm-chairs were wheeled round, a white cloth laid on the table—rather sooner than was necessary, but the delight of the old domestic's heart was the damask. Supper was brought in with apologies, thick and threefold as those that arrive on the morning of a ball when the hostess has been experimental in her invitations. "If I had but known, Miss Emily, you were coming—but, luckily, we killed a pig yesterday. But, dear, dear, you didn't use to eat pork; and I'm sure I know nothing of your foreign fashions. You'll be starved, all of you." The supper, however, was not so despicable, especially to travellers. A chicken had been broiled with mushrooms—mushrooms which had that very morning had the dew upon them;