"Not at all, sir. I will bring them down." Calista left the room and soon returned with two or three orderly bundles of papers and her mother's Bible. "This book has the date of my mother's marriage and of my birth set down in it," said she. "I don't know whether they are of any consequence at all—" "Of all the consequence in the world," said Mr. Settson, untying the bundles and carefully looking them over. "Certificate of marriage—very good; bills, &c.—of no great account. Is there any one of these letters by which you can fix the date of your father's death?" "Yes, sir—a letter from the captain of his company, telling all about it. This is it." "Oh, so I see. Well, my dear, all things are uncertain in this world, but so far as I can see now, there is no more doubt about your coming in possession of the Stanfield place at twenty-one than there is that the sun will rise to-morrow." "It will be a great responsibility for a girl like me," said Calista. "Very true; but we will hope you may have grace to use your fortune wisely and rightly. Now as to another thing—I mean your place of residence. I understand Miss Druett wished you to board at Miss McPherson's; but I saw the good lady in New York, and she told me that every room and bed in her house were engaged. Mrs. Fabian is anxious to keep you with her, as she has no daughters living to bear her company. Should you like that?" "Yes, sir, very much." "I should have liked to have you with us," continued Mr. Settson, "but I find myself obliged to give a home to an aged aunt of my late wife's; and to say truth, I think Mrs. Fabian, with her knowledge of the world and society, a little better fitted to be the guide of such a—you won't be offended if I say such a decided young lady as Miss Calista Stanfield?—than my Alice." "Oh no, sir," said Calista, smiling and blushing. "And I am sure I am quite contented here. I think Mrs. Fabian is lovely. Then you don't think I shall have to go back to my aunt?" she added, rather anxiously. "No, indeed! Most decidedly not!" answered Mr. Settson, with emphasis. "You must keep out of her way, and not go near the place at all." "But if it is her duty, papa," interposed Mary, who had been sitting quite silently with her knitting. "Don't you think she ought to go if there is any chance of doing Miss Priscilla any good? Who knows how she might be the means of influencing her?" "I would go if it was thought right," said Calista; "but, oh, I should dread it. I want to do my duty, I am sure," she added, anxiously. Mr. Settson took a pinch of snuff, and regarded his daughter with the slightly sarcastic smile which she particularly dreaded.