The next morning, before Maria had started for school, Lily Merrill came running across the yard, and knocked at the side door. She always knocked unless she was quite sure that Maria was alone. She was afraid of her aunt. Aunt Maria opened the door, and Lily shrank a little before her, in spite of the wonderful glowing radiance which lit her lovely face that morning. "Good-morning, Miss Stillman," said Lily, timidly. "Well?" said Aunt Maria. The word was equivalent to "What do you want?" "Has Maria gone?" asked Lily. "No, she is getting dressed." "Can I run up to her room and see her a minute? I have something particular I want to tell her." "I don't know whether she'd want anybody to come up while she's dressing or not," said Aunt Maria. "I don't believe she'd mind me," said Lily, pleadingly. "Would you mind calling up and asking her, please, Miss Stillman?" "Well," said Aunt Maria. She actually closed the door and left Lily standing in the bitter wind while she spoke to Maria. Lily heard her faintly calling. "Say, Maria, that Merrill girl is at the door, and wants to know if she can come a minute. She's got something she wants to tell you." Then Aunt Maria opened the door. "I suppose you can go up," she said, ungraciously. The radiance in Lily's face filled her with hostility, she did not know why. "Oh, thank you!" cried Lily; and ran into the house and up the stairs to Maria's room. Maria was standing before the glass brushing her hair, which was very long, and bright, and thick. Lily went straight to her and threw her arms around her and began to weep. Maria pushed her aside gently. "Why, what is the matter, Lily?" she asked. "Excuse me, but I must finish my hair; I have no more than time. What is the matter?" "Nothing is the matter," sobbed Lily, "only--Oh Maria I am so happy! I have not slept a wink all night I was so happy. Oh, you don't know how happy I am!" Maria's face turned deadly white. She swept the glowing lengths of her hair over it with a deft movement. "Why, what makes you so happy?" she asked, coolly. "Oh, Maria, he was in earnest, he was. I am engaged to George." Maria brushed her hair. "I am very glad," she said, in an unfaltering voice. She bent her head, bringing her hair entirely over her face, preparatory to making a great knot on the top of her head. "I hope you will be very happy." "Happy!" said Lily. "Oh, Maria, you don't know how happy I am!" "I am very glad," Maria repeated, brushing her hair smoothly from her neck. "He seems like a very fine young man. I think you have made a wise choice, Lily." Lily flung herself into a chair and looked at Maria. "Oh, Maria dear," she said, "I wish you were as happy as I. I hope you will be some time."