In the meanwhile Mrs. Force was subjected to another interview. Leonidas and Odalite had scarcely left the house, and Mrs. Force had scarcely settled down to her embroidery, when there came a gentle tap at the door. "Come in," said Mrs. Force. Miss Meeke entered, her pretty, pale face slightly flushed, her usually quiet demeanor somewhat disturbed. "Can I speak to you alone for a few moments, ma'am?" she inquired, rather nervously. "Certainly, my dear. Take that easy chair," said the lady, in some surprise, as she motioned her visitor to be seated. Miss Meeke sat down, but continued perfectly silent and extremely ill at ease. Mrs. Force observed her for some minutes, and seeing no prospect of her speaking, inquired gently: "What can I do for you, my dear?" "I--I----" began the governess, taking up the corner of her black, silk apron and beginning to scrutinize it very attentively, while her nervousness increased every instant--"I--do not know--that you can do anything for me, ma'am; but--but--but----" "Well, my dear?" inquired the lady, kindly, seeing that the governess had paused in her embarrassment. "I think I ought--that it is my duty to give--to say--to tell----" began the poor girl, falteringly, and then coming to another dead halt. "Can I help you out in any way? Are you in any difficulty? Have you any complaint to make? Speak, my dear. Do not be afraid," said the lady. "Oh, no--but--I am going to be married!" suddenly blurted out the girl, as by a heroic effort, and then she flushed crimson over cheeks, neck and brow. "Oh!" exclaimed Mrs. Force, not very much surprised, after all, for she had long seen to what purpose the visits of the little, red-haired and freckle-faced Dr. Ingle tended. Then, recovering herself, she arose and kissed the young governess tenderly, saying: "I congratulate you with all my heart, dear. Dr. Ingle is a very worthy young man. Your intended is Dr. Ingle, I suppose?" said the lady, suddenly remembering that the governess had mentioned no name. "Yes," said Miss Meeke, recovering herself, now that the ice had been broken. "Then I am very glad, for your sake. And very sorry for the children's," she added. Then Miss Meeke began to cry. "I cannot bear to leave Wynnette and Elva," she sobbed. "You will not be parted from them, dear," kindly suggested Mrs. Force. "You will be our neighbor, you know. You will come to see us very frequently, I hope. And as for the children, they will run after you so much that I expect you will wish them a thousand miles off." "Oh, no! Never! never! Dear, bright Wynnette and fond Elva!" "When your time comes you will be married from this house, my dear, as if you were a daughter of the family. And if you have any friends or relatives whom you would like to have present, give me their names and addresses, and I will invite them to come and stay for the wedding," said the lady.