"Cornelius," gravely said Kate, "have you reflected on what you are doing?" "Very seriously; not that it required much reflection." "Indeed but it did," interrupted his sister. "Excuse me, Kate, it did not. When I thought it best for Daisy to leave us, it was because I also thought that my marriage would take place this summer; it is now postponed for at least a year or two. I never contemplated banishing Daisy from home for anything like that length of time. When I went for her yesterday, I was confirmed in my resolve by learning from Mrs. Gray that her health is still very uncertain. I found her myself pale and thin. Strangers cannot be supposed to care for her as you and I do, Kate. She is still very weak and delicate; her only place is home; for," he added, giving me a look of reproach, "_I_ have never ceased to consider this as her home." Kate gave him no direct answer, but, looking at him fixedly, she said, "Does Miss Russell know this?" "No," he replied, looking pained, "she does not, Kate. I see by the question that your old suspicion still survives. On my word Miriam had nothing to do with making me send away Daisy; she even raised several objections to it; she will be truly pleased to learn that the child is come back." Miss O'Reilly looked incredulous, but, glancing out at the window, she said, "Here is your letter, Cornelius." He started up; the postman gave that knock which has moved to joy or sorrow so many hearts; a letter was brought in; Cornelius snatched it from Deborah, and eagerly broke the seal; it looked long; he was soon absorbed. Kate repressed a sigh to turn to me, and say in her most cheerful accents, "What do you say to all this?" I was standing by her chair; I laid my cheek to hers as I replied, "The week will be made up of Sundays." "Were the Sundays so pleasant?" "As pleasant as the Saturdays seemed long." "Well, they need be neither short nor long now; only, child, don't you remember?" "What, Kate?" "If you hang about me I shall scold." "Then let me deserve the scolding," I replied, covering her brow and hair with kisses, and half laughing, half crying for joy. She looked at me wistfully, for once letting me do as I liked, and saying "she did not feel as if she could scold me to-day." "Because you are too good," I answered, in a low, moved tone. "Oh, Kate, shall I ever forget how you never forgot me; how constantly you came to see me Sunday after Sunday!" Here I stopped short, for I caught the look of Cornelius, who had laid down his letter, and was evidently listening. "What else had I to do?" asked Kate, cheerfully.