"I'm so glad to get back," she said to Rachel. "One feels so safe here." "Was there any danger?" laughed the elder. Cynthia's face was scarlet. It wasn't danger exactly, but she felt better under Cousin Chilian's wing. And she was her bright gay self all the evening. But how to get her story told? For if Mr. Saltonstall came and asked for her company, as they termed it then, and not being warned, he should consent---- They sat by the study fire. It had turned out cold and cloudy, with indications of snow. He had a lamp near him on the small table, and read and thought, as his glance wandered dreamily over the leaping flashing blue and yellow flames. If it stormed for one or two days, she could not have come home. She rose presently and came and stood by him, laid her hand lightly on his shoulder. She was a young lady now, and it was hardly proper to draw her down on his knee. "Cousin Chilian;" hesitatingly. "Well, dear?" in an inquiring tone. "There is something I ought to tell you, and I want to ask you--to--to do--oh, I hardly know how to say it. Mr. Saltonstall came down; he and Mrs. Stevens are old friends----" Ah, he knew now. This young man had dared to invade the virginal sweetness of her soul, to trouble the quiet stream of girlhood. He was roused, strangely angry, for all his placid temperament. "I couldn't help it--just before he went away--and I couldn't have dreamed of such a thing----" Then she hid her head down on his shoulder and cried. "Dear--my dear little girl--oh, yes, it would have to happen sometime. And--he loves you." "Oh, that isn't the worst;" illogically, between her sobs. "He is coming to ask you if he may--and I don't want him to come that way. I just want it as it was before. Polly Upham can't think or talk of anything but her intended, and it gets tiresome. He doesn't seem so very wonderful to me. And wouldn't it weary you to hear me praising some one all the time?" "I think it would," he answered honestly, yet with some confusion of mind. "So I don't want it;" with more courage in her voice. "I want good times with them all. And I don't see how you can come to love any one all in a moment." Was he hearing aright? Didn't she really want the young man for a lover? He was unreasonably, fatuously glad, and the pulses, that were chilled a moment ago, seemed to race hot through his body. "It was not quite marriage?" a little huskily. "He wanted to ask if he might have the right to come, and he said he loved me, and, oh, I am afraid----" She was trembling. He could feel it where she leaned against him. He took sudden courage. "And you do not want him to come in that way? It would most likely lead to an engagement. And then I should have to listen to his praises continually. Yes, it would be rather hard on me;" and he laughed with a humorous sound. It heartened her a good deal. She was smiling now herself, but there were tears on her cheek.