The next morning, to her utter amazement, she went down stairs to find her aunt dressed, and sitting waiting for her breakfast. Such a thing had not happened for years. "Why, Aunt Priscilla, how smart you are getting!" she exclaimed pleasantly. "When have you been down to breakfast before?" "Oh, I am not quite superannuated yet, though you and your Fabians would like to make me so. Yes, you and your Fabians, with your plots and plans," she added, shaking her head. "You will find out, Miss, you poor-house child that I took out of charity that you might turn me out of house and home. Yes, yes! I meant to make you rich at last, but you'll see what you have gained by your plots and plans. You'll see!" "Indeed, aunt, I have done nothing to injure you," said Calista, gently. "I don't ask anything of you but kind treatment and a little love. Come, aunt, let us be friends for the sake of her that is gone." Calista's voice trembled, and she drew near to her aunt and bent down as if to kiss her, but Miss Priscilla pushed her off. "There, go away. If you must make a sentimental fuss, go and see about breakfast; we shall not have it over by the time that old fool gets here." Breakfast, however, was over and out of the way before the person so politely designated arrived. Calista was not called to the conference till just at its close. As she entered the room, she heard Miss Priscilla say, in the loftily polite manner which she could assume if she chose: "I am sorry to have been the cause of your forgetting yourself and being so violent, Mr. Fabian. I had always supposed you to be a person of quite a different stamp. I see now how wise my father was in refusing to sanction your addresses." "And I see what an idiotic young fool I was ever to have made them," muttered Mr. Fabian, evidently much discomfited. "Be that as it may, madam," he continued, aloud, "I assure you that the will of your late friend is perfectly legal in every respect, and if you dispute it, you will lose your money." "That remains to be seen, sir. Meantime, my niece remains in my custody. I have brought her up and educated her, and I intend that she shall stay with me till she is of age, and be governed by me in all things." Calista cast a glance of consternation at her friend. "Do not be alarmed, my dear," said Mr. Fabian. "You shall remain with this—this 'person' no longer than till I can obtain the proper legal power to take possession of you." Mr. Fabian pronounced the word "person" with a look and emphasis which gave it all the effect of the most vituperative epithet. "Mr. Settson is expected home to-day, and then we will arrange the whole matter. Do not be afraid; no one shall hurt you." "No harm is likely to come to her under this roof, whatever might happen anywhere else," said Miss Priscilla. "I have allowed the young person much more liberty than was for her good, to gratify the whims of my late companion and housekeeper, Miss Druett—"