"Margaret has changed her mind," said Neighbour Tomlin. "She thinks it is best to remain under the care and protection of those whom she knows better than she knows her father." "Why, she seemed eager to go a moment ago," said Bridalbin; "and you must remember that she is my daughter." "Her friends couldn't forget that under all the circumstances," Neighbour Tomlin remarked drily. "I believe her mind has been poisoned against me," Bridalbin declared. "That is quite possible," replied Neighbour Tomlin; "and I think you could easily guess the name of the poisoner." "May I see my daughter?" "That rests entirely with her," said Neighbor Tomlin. But Margaret refused to see him again. Since her own troubles had been so completely swept away, her memory reverted to all the troubles her mother had to endure, as the result of Bridalbin's lack of fixed principles, and she sent him word that she would prefer not to see him then or ever afterward; and so the man went away, more bent on doing mischief than ever, though he was compelled to change his field of operations. And then, after he was gone, a silence fell on the company. Nan appeared to be in a dazed condition, while Miss Fanny sat looking out of the window. Margaret, very much subdued, was clinging to Nan, and Neighbour Tomlin was pacing up and down in the library in a glow of happiness. All his early dreams had come back to him, and they were true. The romance of his youth had been changed into a reality. Margaret was the first to break the silence. She left Nan, and went slowly to Miss Fanny, and stood by her chair. "What do you think of me?" she said, in a low voice. For answer, Miss Fanny rose and placed her arms around the girl, and held her tightly for a moment, and then kissed her. "But I do think, my dear," she said with an effort to laugh, "that the matter might have been arranged without frightening us to death." "I had no thought of frightening you. Oh, I am afraid I had no thought for anything but my own troubles. Did you know? Did you guess?" "I knew about Pulaski, but I had to go away from home to learn the news about you. Madame Awtry called my attention to it, and then with my eyes upon, I could see a great many things that were not visible before." "Why, how could she know?" cried Margaret. "I have talked with her not more than a half dozen times." "She is a very wise woman," Miss Fanny remarked, by way of explanation. "Well, when I get in love, I'll not visit Madame Awtry," said Nan. "My dear, you have been there once too often," Miss Fanny declared. "Why, what has she been telling you?" inquired Nan, blushing very red. "I'll not disclose your secrets, Nan," answered Miss Fanny. "I would thank you kindly, if I had any," said Nan. And then, suddenly, while Margaret was standing with her arms around Miss Fanny, she began to blush and show signs of embarrassment. "Nan," she said, "will you take a boarder for--for--for I don't know how long?"