"Oh, madam! how can I thank you? But your kindness to-day is only a continuation of the kindness you have shown me during the whole seven years I have lived at Mondreer. And always you have treated me as a daughter of the house. And my pupils have been as younger sisters. Ah! It seems ungrateful in me to leave them before they are grown up and out of my care." "Do not think of that, my dear. Marriage is the natural destiny of a young woman. You have given enough of your youth to my children, and now that 'a good man and true' like Dr. Ingle loves you and wins your love, and offers you marriage, you should marry." "I have been very happy here with you and through you, madam," said the governess. "If it is so, as I hope and believe it is, it will be a very pleasant memory for us all. Do your pupils know of your engagement?" "Oh, no! And I do so much dread to tell them!" "Well, do not let them look forward to the marriage as a parting. Talk to them of your new home, and the happy times they will have in visiting you," said Mrs. Force. Miss Meeke smiled and blushed, and said: "I was to go to-morrow to inspect a new house in the village that the doctor was thinking of taking, if I should like it. Perhaps the children might go with me. Shall I ask them?" "Certainly. They would be delighted. It will be a good opportunity also in which to break the news to them. And, without doubt, they will be very prompt in giving their valuable counsel on the subject. But tell me, my dear, when is this happy event to come off?" "Early in January. That is to say, if, in the meantime, you can suit yourself with another governess, for I should not think of leaving you until you had supplied my place." "I should not think of supplying your place with a new governess, my dear. Indeed, I have other plans. I have been thinking of going to Washington to spend the winter. If you were to remain with us, I should take you; but, as you are to be married, I shall, instead of engaging a private governess, place my children at some good finishing school---- Well----? Who is there?" suddenly demanded the lady, as a loud rap sounded on the room door. "Why, it's me! Who should it be?" said the voice of Mrs. Anglesea, as that jovial lady burst into the room, exclaiming: "I was moped all but to death, all alone by my own self in the big parlor ever since breakfast. As well been at Wild Cats'!" "Oh, come in, Mrs. Anglesea. I do, indeed, owe you an apology. I hope you will excuse me, but--I have been particularly engaged all the forenoon," said the mistress of Mondreer, as she arose and placed a chair for her guest. "Thanky'! I hope I haven't interrupted you?" said the lady from the gold mines, dropping into the seat. "Oh, no. We are quite at leisure now," replied Mrs. Force.