“Of course, we’re all glad,” answered the boy, instinctively keeping his sister in the background; “Robert and I, particularly.” I am not quite certain that Horace Savage felt so grateful for this delicate reserve as he ought to have been; but one thing is certain, he did not go out of town that night, and was in better spirits, during the day than had been usual to him for a week past. His mother was greatly surprised to see him come home that afternoon as usual; but received his excuses for what seemed a capricious change of mind with great good humor. “Fortunately,” she said to herself, “I saw the girl before he relented. She will keep her word, poor thing, though he may make it hard for her.” It was wonderful what confidence this woman of the world placed in the young creature whose life she was breaking up. Like a wise diplomat, she let her son take his own way unquestioned. CHAPTER XVIII. A NEW ACQUAINTANCE. “Grandmother!” “Well, my dear.” Anna did not answer at first, but sat for a time lost in thought. At last she spoke again, but in a voice so constrained that the old lady looked at her with sudden anxiety. “Grandmother, how long would it take us to move?” “Not long,” answered the old lady; “we have not much to pack up. Two or three hours would get us ready for the cart, if we all worked.” “Could we go to-night, grandmother?” “We could, certainly—but where?” “I have found a place. When Miss Halstead was here the other day, she told me of a little house which belonged to her grandmother, who did not care to rent it just then, and wanted a nice, quiet family to take charge of it. She had mentioned us to the old lady, and we are just the kind of people she wants.” “Have you seen the house, Anna?” “No, grandmother; but Miss Halstead says it is very comfortable and pretty.” “And the rent?” “I told you, if you remember, that we were to take charge of the house. It is furnished, and they must have some one. There is no question of rent about it.” “That is rather strange. Are you sure, Anna, that Miss Halstead is not making this a charity in disguise?” “It may be—I cannot tell; but one thing I do know, if charity could be sweet from any one, that dear young lady would make it so. She is good and lovely as an angel!” “She is, indeed.” “And you will accept this offer, grandmother?” “It seems too good to be true, Anna. But if we can take a more comfortable house on such terms, it would be wrong to refuse it. For many reasons, dear, I should be glad to get you out of this place.” “And I shall be so glad to move. It seems as if I could not breathe here. Put on your shawl, grandmother, and let us go look at the house. It is not so very far away.” “How impatient you are, Anna. We will look at the house, and I will get ready; but as for moving, we must give the landlady notice—she has been very kind to us.”