“To _him_, miss, to _him_. As for you, I do not know but that I am doing you a mischief in consenting to this marriage. But, there, I have consented and shall not retract. I suppose that fellow has told you so, and also everything else that has happened here to-day?” “Oh, yes, sir, and I am so glad and thankful that your son has returned. Oh! if I could only _tell_ you how glad and thankful,” earnestly exclaimed Em. as the tears rushed to her eyes. “_That_ tells _me_! And now I have something else to tell you. This dear, only son of mine is also the beloved husband of your benefactress, Em.—of your lovely Lady of Edengarden, Ronald!” exclaimed the commodore. Both the young people opened their eyes in astonishment, and would have opened their lips in inquiry had not the commodore prevented them by nervously exclaiming: “No questions! No comments! You will find out everything in time. Ring the bell, Ronald.” The young man silently obeyed. The hall footman appeared. “Send the girl Liza here,” said the old man. In a few moments the girl appeared. “You waited on Miss Palmer when she was here before, did you not?” inquired her master. “Yes, sir.” “Then show this young lady to the best spare room in the house, and make her comfortable,” said the commodore. Em. kissed the old man’s hand and followed the girl. “Now, my lad, do you also go about your business! I expect to have a row with your mother about consenting to this marriage; but I guess I know how to persuade _her_. And now I must smoke my pipe in peace.” “And doze, if you can, uncle! Indeed, I hope you will,” said Ronald as he turned to leave the room. “There’s but little time left for _that_ before dinner,” muttered the commodore as he settled for a nap. As Em. went upstairs, attended by Liza, she asked the girl: “Don’t you think I might have the room in the attic that I had before?” “Surely, Miss Em., if you refers dat one; but dere’s heap betters.” “I prefer that one.” “Now, ain’t dat so funny!” exclaimed the girl. “What funny? My preferring the attic chamber to a finer one?” inquired the guest. “No, Miss Em., not dat; but I’ll jes’ tell you. It _was_ funny. Why, Miss Em., when you went away so suddint I did feel so lonesome ’dout you dat I mos’ cried my eyes out. And den I cleaned up your room, and cleaned out de fireplace, and piled shavin’s and pine cones and pine sticks and hickory logs inter it, ready to light a fire at a minute’s warning, ’caze I ax myself maybe if I keeps de room ready for her it will work on de sperrits in some ’sterious way so she may come back! And, sure ’nough, here you is, and your room all ready for you. It _is_ funny. Come in, Miss Em.,” concluded Liza, for they had now reached the attic landing and the chamber door. Liza entered first, took a match from the mantelpiece and lighted the combustibles under the hickory sticks across the andirons, and soon had a bright, blazing fire.