Year: 1879

it signify, after all, which way it is settled
have not many years longer to live. can
surely endure them as we'll as 1 have done
those which are already past. And even if
this youth consents to come to me, who knows
but that may be disappointed in him? He
may be less ingenious than he seems. A fair
face and frank manner are not always in.
fallble signs of an honest heart. l think l
have been rash. Perhaps he is already laugh
ing at me in his sleeve. Well, we'll if he
has other plans, and chooses to follow
them out, daresay it will turn out for the
best. shan't allow myself to fret over it."


She argued thus within herself, trying to
get reconciled to the idea of a refusal. But
her little effort at self:delusion was failure.
She believed in her heart that Wilfred was
all that he seemed to be, and knew that the
disappointment of her plans, however lightly
she might endeavor to treat it, would not be
easy to bear. Every moment seemed an hour
to her, until the next evening came.


Punctual to his engagement, Wilfred duly
presented himself at the appointed time.
Madame 'Arcy received him as cordially as
ever, but slight degree of embarrassment
was apparent in her manner, the result Of her
anxiety to conceal what she really felt. She
installed her guest in comfortable chair,
and exerted herself to entertain him, care
fully avoiding any allusion to the subject up
permost in her mind. She wanted him to
broach it first, and at the same time wished
to defer the moment Of his doing so, for fear
the result might not prove satisfactory. Will
fred, on his part, thought that she ought
to take the initiative; and so the evening
was nearly past before the question, of such
deep interest to them both, was introduced.


Wilfred, glancing at the clock, found that
it was nearly ten. He did not intend remain.
ing very late, and thought that surely some
thing ought to be said regarding the object
of his visit.


"Madame," he commenced, rising and
standing with his hand on chair-it seemed
easier to speak thus, than sitting down
MADAME, l came with the intention of &C.
knowledging your kindness, and have not
found an opportunity to do so until now"


"Before you say any more" interrupted
his hearer, "let me remind you that what you
are pleased to regard as an act of kindness on
my part is rather petition for your favor
a request which I am anxious for you to
grant. That puts the matter in a palmer
and more correct light"


"But, Madame, 1 can't look at it in that
light" said Wilfred, laughing. "You make
me magnificent offer, and tell me that am
to accept it as favor to you! The kindness
is all on your part"


"Wel, we'll we won't dispute about that, )"
said Madame, little impatiently. Regard
it as you will, only don't keep me any longer
in suspense. You have not the slightest idea
how much hangs upon your answer"


Startled by her exceeding earnestness, Will
fred instantly resumed his gravity, and said,
in gentle and serious tone, "Then, Madame,
I will give you an answer at once; accept
your generosity, and will endeavor to repay
it by every means in my power"


Madame rose from her sofa, and quickly
advancing towards him, caught both his
hands in hers. "Is it true-is it really true p
she cried. "God bless you, my dear boy
you have, indeed, made me happy"


A little pause followed. Wilfred found
the situation embarrassing, and did not know
exactly what else to say. Presently, to his
relief, his hostess, resuming her ease of man.
ner, exclaimed gaily, as she returned to her
seat


"Come! now that this question is decided,
let US sit down and talk over our prospects
quietly. One must be practical, you know y


Wilfred willingly complied, and an ami
mated and interesting discussion ensued
Madame was anxious that the proposed al
lance should be entered upon at once; and
the first step, she said, would be to take a
house, so that they might have home Of
their own.


"Hotel life is not good for young men," she
asserted. "For myself, it has been most con.
venient, and I should not have cared to live
alone; but now that shall have your com.
pany at meals and in the evenings, l shall
find great pleasure in keeping house. We
must buy, as soon as we can suit ourselves
but in the mean time we will rent one already
furnished, if we can. Tomorrow, will go
out to hunt up one, and you shall assist me,
if you like"


Wilfred promised to aid her in any way
that he could. He was both amused and
touched by the eagerness which she displayed
in the arrangement of her plans: He began to
understand how much happiness he was
really bestowing upon her. 1t was past
eleven before they separated for the night,
there seemed to be so much to talk about,


Madame darcy was not one to defer the
settlement of any business she had on hand
with her, to plan was to execute. By the
next afternoon she had secured furnished
house, ip a desirable location, engaged two
competent servants, and decided to move in
at once that is to say, as soon as she could
pet her trunks packed. 1t took but an hour
or two to accomplish this; and by nightfall
she and Wilfred we're settled in their new
home.


The latter could scarcely realize, as be
ensconced himself in luxurlant bed, that
he was the same person who, not week be-
fore, had arrived in New York, without
friends, without home, without any definite
prospects for the future. Everything had
| hoor, nottlod Ear him as if hv mario Indeed