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102 that Mrs. Dalton both feared and disliked, but she saw that opposition was fruitless, and so set about making the few preparations needful with as good a grace as she could assume. The carriage soon came round to the door, and Mr. Dalton set off urging the postilions to their utmost speed. He arrived at Richmond early the following morning, sent a messenger to Mrs. Wilson, and was at the door, ready again for immediate departure, before ten o'clock. Julia was quite ready, but in spite of the flush which the hope of seeing her sister had brought to her face, her father was shocked at the alteration. At first she shrank back timidly, but the kindness of his manner brought her instantly to his knee, and she whispered an inquiry after Ellen. Mr. Dalton was shocked to find, as he lifted her into the carriage, that she was light as a baby in his arms.

"But you do not ask how mamma is," said her father, chiefly by way of engaging her in some discourse. "I did not want to know," said Julia. He thought this reply deserved a reproof, but he