We say _tolerable_,
for though he was really anxious to see Ella and the baby,
he was in no particular haste to see the room in which he
had left them; and rather reluctantly he entered his handsome
dwelling, starting back when he opened the door of the sick
chamber, and half thinking he had mistaken another man's house for
his own. But Ella's voice reassured him, and in a few moments he
had heard from her the story of Dora Deane, who ere long came in,
and was duly presented. Taking her hand in his, and looking down
upon. her with his large black eyes, he said, "I have seen you
before, I believe, but I did not then think that when we met again
I should be so much indebted to you. I am glad you are here,
Dora."
Once before had he held that hand in his, and now, as then, the
touch sent the warm blood bounding through her veins. She had
passed through much since that wintry morning, had grown partially
indifferent to coldness and neglect, but the extreme kindness of
Mr. and Mrs. Hastings touched her heart; and stammering out an
almost inaudible reply, she turned away to hide her tears, while
Mr.
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