“'Olivia and 'settlement' in the same paper,” thought she; “what can this mean? “Come here, mamma--Aunt Fanny--look at this for a moment,” said she, eagerly; and the two ladies approached at her bidding. “What is that word?” she said to Mrs. Kennyfeck; “is it not 'Olivia'? Don't you see the end of the 'l' has been burned away, but the rest is quite plain?” “So it is--upon my life!--and in Cashel's hand, too!” exclaimed Mrs. Kennyfeck. [Illustration: 093] “And what is that?” asked Miss Kennyfeck, triumphantly, pointing to another word. Aunt Fanny, with her spectacles on, bent down, and examined it long. “'Battlement.' That is 'battlement' as clear as day,” said she. “What nonsense, aunt--it is 'settlement.' Look at what you call a 'b'--it is an 's.'” “Cary's quite right. The word is 'settlement,'” said Mrs. Kennyfeck, in a voice tremulous with joy. “And there!--I hope you can read!” exclaimed Miss Kennyfeck, “even without your spectacles--'paying'--'addresses.'” “Show it to me, Cary,” said her mother, eagerly. “I declare I can read it perfectly. Is it possible?--can this be indeed true?” “Of course it is, mamma. Will you tell me by what other coincidence you could find Olivia's name coupled with the words 'settlement' and 'addresses' in the same note?” “It is very suspicious, certainly,” said Aunt Fanny. “I think it very convincing, aunt--not suspicious,” said Miss Kennyfeck, proudly. “Here is something about 'friend,' and another word I can't make out.” “That's something about a 'saw,' my love,” said Aunt Fanny. “How absurd, aunt; the word is 'law.' I have it. See--here is the name--it is the conclusion of the note, and ran, doubtless, thus: 'Your present friend, and future son-in-law,--R. C.” Mrs. Kennyfeck leaned forward, and kissed her daughter's cheek with a degree of fervor she very rarely gave way to; and then, lying back in her chair, pressed her handkerchief to her face, while she, doubtless, revelled in a little excursion of fancy, not the less brilliant because tempered with anxiety. If the moment was one of maternal ecstasy for Mrs. Kennyfeck, it was no less one of triumphant joy to her daughter. It was _she_ who revealed the secret meaning; her skill and ingenuity had given light to the dark mystery, and consistency to its incoherence. What domination could be too great for such services? It was then, like a legitimate sovereign assuming the reins of government, she said,-- “I beg, Aunt Fanny, that you will not spoil the game this time, as most unquestionably you did before.” “Let us see that there is one to be spoiled, my dear,” rejoined Aunt Fanny, snappishly. “You are really too provoking, Fanny,” said Mrs. Kennyfeck, removing her handkerchief from two very red eyelids. “You never are satisfied when you see us happy. Cary has shown you enough to convince any one--” “Anyone disposed to conviction, mamma,” broke in Miss Kennyfeck, haughtily. “Hush, here's Olivia.”