Norman Vallery

Are they really coming to-morrow, granny? exclaimed Fanny Vallery, a fair, blue-eyed, sweet-looking girl, as she gazed eagerly at the face of Mrs Leslie, who was seated in an arm-chair, near the drawing-room window. Oh, how I long to see papa, and mamma, and dear little Norman! I have thought, and thought so much about them; and India is so far off it seemed as if they would never reach England. Your mamma writes me word from Paris that they hope to cross the Channel to-night, and be here early in the afternoon, answered Mrs Leslie, looking at the open letter which she held in her hand. I too long to see your dear mamma; and had it not been for you, my own darling, I should have missed her even more than I have done; but you have ever been a good, obedient, loving child, and my greatest comfort during her absence. Mrs Leslie, as she spoke, drew her grandchild towards her, and kissed her brow. Fanny said nothing, but, pressing the hand which held hers, turned her eyes towards her grandmamma's face, while the consciousness that the praise was not wrongly bestowed, caused a bright gleam of pleasure to pass over her countenance.