There was some music in the drawing-room, and afterward ice-cream and cake; and then, at about half-past ten, the little party broke up. Georgie was still in a gushing mood, and kissed Mrs. Churchill three times at parting, and even kissed Edna in the exuberance of her joy, and said she hoped to know her better in the future, and bade her take good care of dear Mrs. Churchill; and then she looked around for Roy, who led her to the carriage, and pressed her hand a little at parting, and said he should see her to-morrow. Mr. and Mrs. Burton, Georgie, and Miss Shawe, occupied the carriage, while the other people walked; Maude and Jack lingering behind the others, so that it was nearer one than twelve when they at last reached Oakwood. But late as it was, Georgie was waiting for them. She _must_ see Jack before she slept. He was to return to Jersey City on the morrow, and she might not have another chance. So she sat by her window until she heard him coming up the walk, and then waited until the whispered interview on the piazza was at an end, and Maude was in her room. Then she passed noiselessly out into the hall, and on through a narrow corridor, until Jack’s chamber was reached. “Come in!” was answered rather sternly to her timid knock, and by the tone of his voice, she knew that Jack guessed who his visitor was, and she trembled as she advanced toward him, and laid her hand on his arm. He did not smile, nor allow his face to relax a muscle, even when she looked up at him in her most beseeching way, and began by calling him “dear Jack.” But he _would_ soften after a time, she was sure. He never had withstood her long at a time, and so she mustered all her courage, and began: “Dear Jack, I’ve had no chance to congratulate you on your engagement, and I came to do so now, and to tell you how glad I am. I would rather have Maude for my sister than any one I know. You have chosen well, my boy.” “I am glad you think so,” Jack answered stiffly; and then there was a painful silence, which Georgie broke by saying: “Jack, have you no word of congratulation for me in my new happiness?” The tears were swimming in her great, bright eyes, and she seemed the very embodiment of innocence and goodness; but Jack looked away from her, straight down at some slippers which Annie had embroidered for him, and asked: “_Are_ you happy, Georgie?” “Yes, oh, yes; so happy that I feel as if I never could be thankful enough to the good Father who has been so kind to me.” “Pshaw!” and Jack spoke impatiently. “Don’t, for gracious sake, try to come your _pious_ strains on me, for I tell you they won’t go down till you have done one thing. Have you told Roy?” He looked at her now, and her eyes fell before his searching gaze, while her heart beat so fast that he could hear and count the throbs as her bosom rose and fell.