So noiselessly did she enter the apartment where Hamden awaited her, that neither her aunt nor the young man perceived her presence for some moments, and she had time to examine his appearance, and to read the lineaments of his half-averted face. While she stood thus observing him, her countenance suddenly flushed, and she bent forward with a look of surprise and eagerness. At this moment the young man became aware that she had entered, and rising up quickly, advanced to meet her. "Evelyn!" exclaimed Edith, striking her hands together, the moment he turned toward her. "Edith! my own Edith!" returned the young man, as he grasped her hand, and ventured a warm kiss on her beautiful lips. "Not Evelyn, but Hamden. Our parents betrothed us while we were yet too young to give or withhold consent. Both, as we grew older, felt this pledge as a heart-sickening constraint. But we met as strangers, and I saw that you were all my soul could desire. I sought your regard and won it. No obligation but love now binds us." The young man then turned to Mrs. Ravensworth, and said-- "You see, madam, that we are not strangers." Instead of looking surprised, Mrs. Ravensworth smiled calmly, and answered-- "No--it would be singular if you were. Love-tokens don't generally pass, nor familiar meetings take place between strangers." "Love-tokens, Aunt Helen?" fell from the lips of Edith, as she turned partly away from Hamden, and looked inquiringly at her relative. "Yes, dear," returned Mrs. Ravensworth. "White roses, for instance. You saw your own blushing face in the mirror, did you not?" "The mirror! Then you saw Edward present the rose?" "And did you know me?" inquired the young man. "One who knew your rather as well as I did could not fail to know the son. I penetrated your love secret as soon as it was known to yourselves." "Aunt Helen!" exclaimed Edith, hiding her face on the neck of her kind relative, "how have I been deceived!" "Happily, I trust, love," returned Mrs. Ravensworth, tenderly. "Most happily! My heart swells with gladness almost to bursting," came murmuring from the lips of the joyful maiden. THE END.