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44 mistress, careful of what might have happened in her absence, than a young bride passing a strange threshold for the first time. The two children hung back, but Eda, in a whisper, bade them follow. She was glad that she did so, for Mr. Dalton looked round, and, seeing them beside, smiled, and bade them run before and show mamma the way to the drawing-room. The group in the hall were now left free to make their comments, which were not of the most flattering order. The truth was, none of their self-love was enlisted in the favour of their new mistress; she had past on without a single kind word and look, not one old servant, and most of those at Dalton Hall had lived there four years, had received from her the slightest notice. Eda was the only one who could not be persuaded to say more than that "Mrs. Dalton was certainly very handsome:" and so she was; her figure was tall and finely proportioned, though there was a stiffness in her movements which somewhat detracted from their grace. Her features were