"Oh, yes, I see," drawled Archie, slowly. "That sort of thing is very nice when you have not a man belonging to you. It is a little awkward sometimes, for people do not always see this sort of relationship. He seemed a nice sort of fellow, I should say," he continued, in his patronizing way, stroking his beard complacently. After all, the sandy-headed youth was no possible rival. "Oh, Dick is ever so nice," answered Phillis, enthusiastically; "not good enough for--" and then she stopped and broke her thread. "I am glad we are so fond of him," she continued, rather hurriedly, "because Dick is to be our real brother some day. He and Nan have cared for each other all their lives, and, though Mr. Mayne is dreadfully angry about it, they consider themselves as good as engaged, and mean to live down his opposition. They came to an understanding yesterday," finished Phillis, who was determined to bring it all out. "Oh, indeed!" returned Archie: "that must be a great relief, I am sure. There is your little dog whining at the door; may I let him in?" And, without waiting for an answer, Archie had darted out in pursuit of Laddie, but not before Phillis's swift upward glance had shown her a face that had grown perceptibly paler in the last few minutes. "Oh, poor fellow! I was right!" thought Phillis, and the tears rushed to her eyes. "It was best to speak. I see that now; and he will get over it if he thinks no one knows it. How I wish I could help him! but it will never do to show the least sympathy: I have no right." And here Phillis sighed, and her gray eyes grew dark with pain for a moment. Archie was rather a long time absent; and then he came back with Laddie in his arms, and stood by the window. "Your news has interested me very much," he said, and his voice was quite steady. "I suppose, as this--this engagement is not public, I had better not wish your sister joy, unless you do it for me." "Oh, no; there is no need of that," returned Phillis, in a low voice. "Mother might not like my mentioning it; but I thought you might wonder about Dick, and----" here Phillis got confused. "Thank you," replied Archie, quietly; but now he looked at her. "You are very kind. Yes, it was best for me to know." And then, as Phillis rose and gave him her hand, for he had taken up his hat as he spoke, she read at once that her caution had been in vain,--that he had full understanding why the news had been told to him, and to him only, and that he was grateful to her for so telling him.