“Well, now, let me tell you one thing. It is from no peculiar merit in the girl, although she is a good child. It is only because she is not yourself. She is somebody outside of yourself. She is company, in fact. That is the reason why she has done you good. Now, dear friend, let me assure you that the more company you see, within certain limits, the more good you will receive,” said the doctor. The lady did not reply. The doctor, encouraged by her silent toleration of his argument, continued: “There is your old friend and neighbor, Commodore Bruce, with whom you know I am staying. How rejoiced he would be to hear news of you. He has never ceased to mourn you as dead, Emolyn Wyndeworth! Let me tell _him_, at least, that you live and are well and near him.” “Oh, no, no, no!” exclaimed the Lady of Edengarden suddenly and vehemently—“if you wish to break up my home here and send me forth again a wanderer and a vagabond on the face of the earth, you will betray my secret to _him_ of all men!” “My dear lady, say no more! say no more! Your secret is as safe with me as with the dead!” hastily answered the doctor. The return of Em. put an end to the conversation, and Dr. Willet soon after took his leave. In the course of the same week Susan Palmer came to see her daughter, and at Mrs. Lynn’s cordial invitation spent the day. On bidding good-by to the lady she said: “I fear, dear madam, as you are a-sp’iling that girl for a poor man’s wife, with all the luxuries and elegancies as you are a-pampering her up with.” “Do not fear. If nature has not, from the beginning, spoiled her for a poor man’s helpmate, education, at this late day, cannot do it. Besides, Susan Palmer, why should she ever be a poor man’s wife?” inquired the lady. This question arrested Susan’s attention at once. Though in the act of departure she paused, turned around and exclaimed: “Oh! now I suppose Em. has been telling you about her wealthy lover!” “Her ‘wealthy lover?’ Indeed not,” replied the lady with an anxious glance towards Em., who blushed to the edges of her hair. “Well, then, she _will_ tell you, ma’am, for I haven’t got time! Em., tell the lady all about it, and she will be able to advise you just as well as anybody in this world! Tell her all, Em., and don’t blush up so, my girl! You behaved well in that business, child, and haven’t got nothing to blush for!” said Susan Palmer proudly. And then, having kissed her daughter and shaken hands with her benefactress, Susan went down to the beach to be rowed home by old ’Sias. The Lady of Edengarden made it a matter of conscience to speak to her young protégée on the subject suggested by Mrs. Palmer. She understood well, also, how to prepare for such a confidential conversation. There was one room, the most plainly furnished in the Villa of Edengarden, which was the favorite evening resort of Mrs. Lynn and her young companion, because it was warmed by an old-fashioned open wood fire.