Then the light came and dinner. Mrs. Crawford went to Zay's room afterward and found her comfortable and better, with no recurrence of fever, and they had a pleasant little chat. The next morning a letter came from Phillipa, full of merry nonsense about gifts and gayety and lovers. She was very well, with the very underscored, and two engagements for every evening. She had not heard from Louie, "but I should have if her little finger had ached; she would have been afraid of some distemper. And I hope you are all having a splendid time." Afterward Dr. Kendricks came in. Yes, she was better, the throat was all right; there was a slight remnant of the cold, and it would be best to be careful for a few days. Oh, yes, she could dress herself and go about the house, but not out driving. "You danced a little too much Christmas night, though for the life of me I don't see what you were so nervous about." She flushed and laughed and felt that she had escaped a great danger. Then he and the Major set out together, meeting Mr. Ledwith at the school. The doctor went upstairs. Lilian met him with anxious eyes. "Yes, there has been a great change. She has gone more rapidly than I thought. Can she speak?" "Hardly. Now and then a word. Yet she understands all that I say to her," Lilian returned, gravely. "But she was quite restless during the night." He nodded. "You see, my dear Miss Boyd--you will be that until you take your new name, the confession has no signature. It might never be called in question but sometimes, years afterward, in the various changes of property, it might be necessary to establish a legal identity. Can you make her understand this? And you can attest most of her story. I will call up Mr. Ledwith. And your father is most desirous of being present. He will make no trouble." She went out in the hall to meet him. "My dear," he said, "I am more reasonable than I was yesterday. Your lovely mother has placed some views in a different light, and she is most glad that you have never lacked for a fervent love and care. And we both forgive her." "Oh, thank you for that. Though Mrs. Barrington advises that she had better not be told of the discovery. You see she is so tranquil now, knowing that I am provided for." Then they entered the room. Mrs. Boyd scarcely noticed them, but her eyes questioned Lilian, who began to explain, holding the poor hand in hers. Mrs. Boyd seemed confused at first, then she said with some difficulty--"Yes, yes." Lilian and Miss Arran pillowed her up in a sitting posture and placed the material on a portable desk. "It is just to sign your name." She seemed to listen as Mr. Ledwith read the affadavit, and nodded, with her eyes on Lilian, who put the pen in her hand, but she could not clasp it. "I think you will have to guide it. She does not understand." Lilian took the poor shaking hand in hers, and the sick woman looked up into her face and smiled.