Before Haskins could reply Charity entered from the dining-room with Tod at her heels, and Gerald could not help starting when he saw how wonderfully she resembled the girl shut up in the Pixy's House. She had the same figure, the same coloring, the same graceful way of walking. Only in the manner of speaking and in the personality was there a difference, and that would not be noticed by a casual spectator. Charity was more worldly, more material, and--as Gerald thought--less lovable. But then he was prejudiced in favor of the young lady whom he wished to marry: Tod's opinion would have been quite the reverse. "How are you, Mr. Haskins?" said Charity, offering her hand calmly, "you have not been to see us for years and years." "All the same, I have been hearing about you," replied Gerald, glancing at Tod, who nodded gaily. "I have to offer my congratulations." "Well," said Charity slowly, and looking at Mrs. Pelham Odin, "I am not so sure of that. My mother doesn't----" "Yes, she does," interposed the actress quickly, and took the girl's hand in her own. "Mr. Macandrew. I bestow upon you a priceless treasure," and joining the hands of the two lovers she sank back on the sofa with a tiny lace handkerchief to her eyes. It was very neatly done, and only needed limelight and applause to form an effective curtain. "Oh," cried Tod, clasping Charity's hand convulsively. "Do you mean to say that we can marry?" "Now that you have enough to keep the wolf from the door I do, my dear Mr. Macandrew, or shall I say James, since you are to be my adopted son-in-law?" "Not James. Call me Tod." "That is the Scottish for fox, and you are not foxy." "Never mind, mother," cried Charity, whose eyes were dancing with delight, "the name of Tod suits him, and Toddy is the name of a Scottish drink." "Come now; come now," protested Tod, "when I am so sober." "You ought to be drunk with happiness," said Haskins, laughing. "Perhaps the poor dear needs food," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, leading the way to the dining-room, "let us see what the cook has done in the way of supper." "My marriage feast," giggled Tod, taking his seat. "You'll be best man, of course, Jerry." "We can talk of these things later," said Mrs. Pelham Odin hurriedly, "in consequence of my age, I think the marriage will have to be a very quiet one." "Yes," nodded Charity; "I don't want Lady Euphemia to forbid the banns." "As if she could," cried Macandrew, in the highest spirits. It was a very merry supper, and Mrs. Pelham Odin drank the health of the future bride and bridegroom in foaming champagne. Also she winked in rather an undignified way at Gerald to intimate that she included himself and Mavis in the toast. Then she related various stage experiences connected with her own marriage, and eulogized the late Mr. Pelham Odin. "He is an angel now," said the widow, and wept, until Gerald made her laugh again. CHAPTER XII. A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY.