“Ah! that is well, very well! Of what family was she?” persevered the old gentleman, who was completely unconscious of the embarrassment his questions were causing. “I really do not know, uncle, dear,” answered Palma. “I do not think we ever inquired,” replied Stuart, speaking at last. “Ah! well, it does not matter, so that she is a good, true girl, worthy of the noble young fellow,” said Mr. Cleve. “She is all that, uncle,” said Stuart. Palma and Stuart then opened their letters. They were from Ran and Judy, telling them of their arrival at Haymore, their reception of Gentleman Geff and his “lady,” and, indeed, of all the events that transpired in the first few days of their stay at the Hall, and of which our readers are already informed; making no mention of the transfer of stocks from Ran to Palma; but renewing and pressing their invitation that the Stuarts would visit them in England during the next summer. Of course, Ran and Judy at the time of writing their letter had not heard of Cleve and Palma’s removal to West Virginia. Palma was so little a worshiper of Mammon that she was much more delighted with the faithful affection revealed in these letters than with the accession of fortune that accompanied them. She flew upstairs to answer them. She was earnest in her thanks for Ran’s magnanimity in giving her so noble a share in their grandfather’s fortune; but she was even more earnest in her appreciation of Judy’s friendship and their mutual invitation to herself and Cleve. She had, however, to explain why neither of them could take advantage of the offered opportunity of visiting their friends in England, by telling them of her own and her husband’s change of residence and new-found happiness in the country home of their aged uncle, and of the impossibility that they should leave him while his presence on earth should be spared to them. Cleve Stuart also answered Ran’s letters in very much the same strain, giving the same thanks with much deprecation, and offering the same explanations. These letters were all taken to the post office the next morning. In another week the weather moderated and the snow melted. But traveling was, if possible, more difficult than before, for the roads were sloughs of mud. But within doors, at Wolfscliff, all was pleasant, comfortable and happy. Only Mrs. Pole complained of having too little to do. But her special grievance did not last very long, for—— On the morning of the fourteenth of February Palma Stuart received from Above, in trust for earth and heaven, a most precious valentine, in the form of a pair of twins, a fine boy and girl. And no more grateful and delighted mother dwelling on the “footstool” that day raised her heart in prayer and thanksgiving to the Throne. No prouder father lived than Stuart, no happier uncle than John Cleve, nor more important nurse than Mary Pole. She had enough to do now, both day and night, to nurse mother and babes.