'What! Sibbie shy? No, I'll never believe that,' said Mr. Russell, laughing; and going to the door, he called out, 'Come along, come along, nobody wants to eat any of you. Now, Tib-the-cat, don't stand prowling outside any longer. It's a good joke pretending you're shy; I expect the truth is you're not fit to be seen. Here, Herbert,' he added, catching hold of her and taking her up to Mr. Grant, let me introduce you to my fifth daughter, by name, Sybil Russell, but more familiarly know as Tib-thecat, or the young prowler.'

Sibbie, the romp of the family, and by turns the pet and plague of her sisters, tossed back her rough, tangled, brown locks, and lifting her merry green eyes to Mr. Grant's face, put up a rosy but very grimy face to be kissed, at the same time telling her father he was a bad boy to call her such horrid names.

'Oh, Sibbie, what a face! and what hands!' said her mother. 'Where have you been? what will Cousin Milly think of you?'

6

Herbert laughed. They will be kindred spirits, I expect. Come here, you jolly little thing, and tell me what you've been doing.'

Sibbie perched herself on his knee, nothing loth. 'Oh,' she said, laughing, I've only been with the cat and kittens in the coal-house. I've got six kittens; such beauties, oh, so pretty! Milly, you shall have three if you like. Come along, let me show you them now.' And, jumping up, she caught hold of Millicent, and was about to drag her off, when Mrs. Russell came to the rescue, and telling Sibbie to go up-stairs and get ready for tea, she called to the four elder children to come and make friends with their little cousin.

Milly felt very shy, as they all gathered round her, and

so many pairs of eyes were fixed on her face. She wondered what she ought to say, but could think of nothing, and it was a great relief when Violet, taking hold of her hand, said, 'Oh, Tousin Milly, do tum up 'tairs to tea, me so hungry, and dere's such nicey take for '00.'

'You greedy little thing,' said her father, laughing, catching her up in his arms, 'who is it wants some of Milly's nice "take," eh? Oh, you cunning little monkey! Mind you don't give her a bit, Milly.'

'Oh yes, 'oo will,' said Violet, looking down coaxingly at her cousin from the height of her father's shoulder; "'oo not greedy, I'm sure.'

'You shall have it all, you little darling,' said Milly, laughing; and Violet, giving her father a triumphant look, said

'Tank 'oo; but dive True tum too.'

'No,' said that dignified little lady; 'Milly must eat it all herself. She's a visitor, you know, Violet; for shame to ask for her cake.'

Violet, in no way abashed at her sister's rebuke, only laughed, and whispered to her father as he carried her off, True's always peeching (preaching); but I know she'd like tum take.'

'And now come up and see your room, dear Milly,' said her aunt; and then I daresay you won't be sorry to have some of Violet's much-talked-of tea and cake. I daresay this house will seem very small to you after Fairfield,' she added, as she led the way up the broad, easy staircase. 'I have given you a little room next to Olive and Hilda, and all the children have been very busy getting it ready for you.'

'Oh, how pretty! What a sweet little room!' cried Milly in a flutter of delight; and truly it was a dainty. little bower her aunt had prepared for her, and one which any little girl would have been proud to call her own. There were pictures and photographs on the wall, a hanging bookcase filled with charming story-books, pretty vases and nick-nacks, gifts from her cousins, on the mantelpiece, flowers on the table, and in a retired nook near the bow window was a full-length portrait, in water colours, of a beautiful girl about eighteen, with bright wavy hair, and large deep-blue eyes. Underneath the picture was a small writing-table, nicely fitted up.

"This is where I expect you will write all your letters to India,' said Mrs. Russell, smiling, as Milly stood entranced before her mother's likeness, the tears running down her cheeks, and her heart too full for any words. 'I thought this would make a nice little writing-nook for you, there is such a pretty peep of the cathedral through this righthand window. Is mamma much altered, Milly? it is so difficult to judge from photographs. This picture was the image of her before she left England; but that is fourteen long years ago.'

'It is so like her still,' said Milly. Of course she looks older, and she is not so thin now; but the eyes, hair, and look are just the same. Oh dear, dear Aunt Mary, how can I love you enough! Oh! I must tell Herbert to come up and look at mamma, may I? May I run down and bring him up here, Aunt Mary?'

'Yes, my darling, of course you may.'

Herbert was almost as much overcome as Milly, when he saw the loving care evinced in all Mrs. Russell's arrangements for his little sister's comfort and happiness.

He