“It would do no good. She’d only take his part, and as likely as not send you packing. No, we must adopt a different course.” “What shall it be? You’re smarter than I am, mother. I’ll do whatever you think best.” “I’ve thought of a plan, Frost,” said Mrs. Mercer, and she proceeded to communicate it to him. “That’ll do,” said the son, in a tone of satisfaction. “We’ve got to give her a bad opinion of her favorite, and then we’ll get rid of him.” This conversation took place in Frost’s room one evening. This room adjoined Paul’s, and it so happened that in the upper part of the room there was a round hole in the partition, made probably for the entrance of a funnel, which rendered it easy for conversation to be heard in the adjoining room. Paul had been spending the evening in Mrs. Mercer’s room, but was dismissed earlier than usual, and had retired to his own bed room. So it chanced that he heard the details of the plot against him. It did not surprise him much, for he was quite aware of the housekeeper’s hostility towards him. He had been on the point of lighting his lamp, but decided not to do so, and noiselessly prepared for bed. He felt that forewarned was forearmed, and he determined to tell Mrs. Granville what he had heard. This he did the next morning. The old lady listened attentively. “I did not believe Mrs. Mercer capable of such wickedness,” she said. “After all the kindness I have heaped upon her, too!” “I suppose she is jealous of me,” suggested Paul. “For my part, I wish her no harm. I would not have told you, except to defend myself in advance of any charges she may make against me.” “You have done right, Paul,” said the old lady, kindly. “Mrs. Mercer selfishly wishes to monopolize all my favors. Whatever I may do for you would not have interfered with her, if she had behaved properly. Now she must take the consequences of her folly.” Early in the afternoon, Mrs. Granville directed Paul to bring the carriage round to the door. When they had driven a quarter of a mile, she said: “You may drive me to Coleraine, Paul.” This was an adjoining town, about four miles away. Reaching the town, the old lady directed Paul to drive her to the office of her lawyer. Finding him in, she said: “You may take the horse to the stable, and come back in an hour. I have some business to attend to.” “Certainly, ma’am,” said Paul, obediently. He returned in an hour, but had to wait half an hour longer. Then the old lady came out, and seemed unusually cheerful. “Paul,” she said, “I have been making my will.” “I thought it might have been made already,” said our hero. “So it was, but I have made a new one.” Paul did not feel called upon to reply. “I have not forgotten you,” continued Mrs. Granville, kindly. “Thank you very much,” said Paul, gratefully. “I won’t pretend to be sorry, but I hope it will be a long time before I reap any benefit from it.”