The lamp had been lighted in the room, and, when our first embrace was over, I looked at my little girl and noted the im provement and developement of the last few weeks. The change was not merely outward. Agnes hod lived during these weeks ; she had known what life meant with hopes, fears, and joys such as concern the woman, not the cbild. Sorrow sho had not tasted yet; was Ito bring her that ? My heart misgave me as Mrs Car dew withdrew, and Nest, clinging shyly with both her arms round me, and her face hidden, faltered ou'—

" Oh, Maggie, you are not angry with me ? You will not send him away ? He is so good, and everybody is so kind—l could nnt help it." " Do you really care for him so much ? " I asked, with a nervous eagerness to got the worst over at once. " You are very young, darling, and this is the first person who has nsked you to marry him, and no doubt he is very nice and so on ; but your husband should be something more, and you are scarcely able to judge ior yourself." " Oh, Maggie, he is miles too good for me you will soon see! Oh, lam not afruid. You can't help liking him. Even Nora and Alice do now, and Mrs Curdew says I am a very lucky girl." "You seem to have settled everything very quickly," I remarked in a hurt tone I could not oofiooal. " Did you never think of waiting to tell your poor old Mag before you arranged to fly off and leave her lonely ? " " I am not going to fly off—at least, not without you. Darril is such a big bouse, Maggie ; Robert says you are to oomo too." " It is not his placa, my child."

" No; hut Mrs Dare—l wa* so afraid of her, but oh, Maggie, do you remember our own mother? Yes? Well when you see Mra Dare I won ler if you will feel as if vou wera getting'mo'liei- back again? I don't remember you know, but I can imagine—and it is po nice to be ' mothered.'"

I started to my feet. The words had gone to my heart with a cruel pan?. 