THE DOLL AND HER FRIENDS. 87

They did not notice us, for we stood back so as
not to intrude, and their minds were evidently fully
occupied with the expected meeting.

We all gazed intently down the street, every
voice hushed in eager interest. Even my own little
mistress, usually the noisiest of her tribe, was silent
as myself. It was a quiet street and a quiet time,
and the roll of the distant carriages would scarcely
have seemed to break the silence, had it not been for
our intense watching, and hoping that the sound of
every wheel would draw nearer. We waited long,
and were more than once disappointed by carriages
passing us and disappearing at the end of the street.
Edward and his friend walked up and down, east
and west, north and south, in hopes of descrying the
travellers in the remotest distance. But after each
unavailing walk, they took up their post again on
the steps.

At last a travelling carriage laden with luggage
turned the nearest corner, rolled towards us, and
stopped at the house. The two gentlemen rushed
down the steps, flung open the carriage-door, and
for some moments all was hurry and agitation, and
I could distinguish nothing.

I much feared that I should now be obliged to
go home without actually seeing my friends, for
they had passed so quickly from the carriage to the