The mine had exploded, and for an instant the young man reeled, as he caught a glimpse of his real self. Still, he would not believe it, or confess to himself how strong a place in his affection was held by the beautiful girl, now no longer a child. It was almost a year since that April afternoon when he first saw Maddy Clyde, and from a timid, bashful child, of fourteen and a half, she had grown to the rather tall and self-possessed maiden of fifteen and a half, almost sixteen, or, as Mrs. Noah said, “almost a woman;” and as if to verify the latter fact, she herself appeared at that very moment, asking permission to come in and find a book, which had been mislaid, and which she needed in hearing Jessie’s lessons. “Certainly, come in,” Guy said; and folding his arms he leaned against the mantel, watching her as she hunted for the missing book. There was no pretense about Maddy Clyde, nothing was done for effect, and yet in every movement she showed marks of great improvement, both in manner and style. Of one hundred people who might glance at her, ninety-nine would look a second time, asking who she was. Naturally graceful and utterly forgetful of herself, she always appeared to good advantage, and never to better than now, when two pairs of eyes were watching her, as, standing on tiptoe, or kneeling upon the floor to look under the secretary, she hunted for the book. Not the remotest suspicion had Maddy of what was occupying the thoughts of her companions, though, as she left the room and glanced brightly up at Guy, it struck her that his face was dark and moody, and a painful sensation flitted through her mind that in some way she had intruded. “Well,” was Mrs. Noah’s first comment, as the door closed on Maddy; but as Guy made no response to that, she continued: “She is pretty. That you won’t deny.” “Yes, more than pretty. She’ll make a most beautiful woman.” Guy seemed to talk more to himself than to Mrs. Noah, while his foot kicked the fender, and he mentally compared Lucy and Maddy with each other, and tried to think that it was not the result of this comparison, but rather Mrs. Noah’s next remark, which affected him unpleasantly. “Of course she’ll make a splendid woman,” Mrs. Noah said. “Everybody notices her now for her beauty, and that’s why you’ve no business to keep her here where you see her every day. It’s a wrong to her, lettin’ yourself alone.” Guy looked up inquiringly, and Mrs. Noah continued: “I’ve been a girl myself, and I know that Maddy can’t be treated as you treat her without its having an effect. I’ve no idea that it’s entered her head yet, but it will, and then good-bye to her happiness.” “For pity’s sake, what do you mean? Do explain, and not talk to me in riddles. What have I done to Maddy, or what am I going to do?” Guy spoke savagely, and his boots were in great danger of being burned as he kicked vigorously against the fender. Coming nearer to him, and lowering her voice, Mrs. Noah replied: