She parted from him with smiles and misty eyes, and when he had gone, came to Mrs. Wharnecliffe. "Oh, I'm the happiest girl in the world! Did you know he liked me? Did you know I liked him? I'm thanking God with all my heart for bringing such joy into my life. I shall love Him so much more, and shall serve Him so much better now. I always think that Cousin Thor is an uncalendared saint; and living with him will, of course, make me a much better character. We won't keep our engagement a secret. There's one person I should like to tell soon, and that is Sir Gilbert. He is one of my greatest friends next to you." "We'll drive over and see him to-morrow," said Mrs. Wharnecliffe. "I have had a pretty good idea, for some time past, that your feelings towards Thorold were undergoing a change. You did not care for him at first, did you?" "Well, no," admitted Gentian; "for he was too masterful. Isn't it funny? I don't mind that a bit now. I like it in him—I don't want my own way, I want his." "Ah," said Mrs. Wharnecliffe, "that is the right kind of love, that gives more than it takes. I hope you'll always feel like that, my dear child." "I have really grown older," said Gentian thoughtfully, "in many ways. Dear Waddy's illness taught me a good deal. I remember I felt when she left me, that I would never smile again, my heart was quite cold and dead. Cousin Thor did me good, when he came over to see me. And I see now how right he was. Trouble does work for good if we take it in the right way. I was very rebellious and impatient at first, and I have been most awfully depressed lately—not seeing my future one little bit. Somehow I never dreamt that Cousin Thor would or could care for me. I felt very inclined to marry Jim, or anyone, and make the best of a bad job. Fancy if I had! It doesn't bear thinking about." Mrs. Wharnecliffe let her talk on. She was a very sympathetic listener, and was too pleased with the match to be over-critical; otherwise she might have checked the girl's egotistical talk. In a few days the news became known. Sir Gilbert received it with his serene smile. "I think," he said, "I must congratulate you most. There are few men nowadays so quietly helpful and so selfless as Thorold Holt." "Yes," said Gentian; "everybody loves him. I suppose you think I am not half good enough for him. He ought to have a sweet, dignified, queenly woman, serene and calm, and instead, he has me." "He has a little person who is learning fast to control her likes and dislikes, to think nothing of herself, and everything of those she loves." "I am trying to arrive at that, but am not there yet," said Gentian humbly. Miss Horatia arrived over one afternoon to offer her congratulations.