Meantime, Georgie ran up to her grandmother’s room, threw herself into those outstretched arms and began to cry, one would think just to be hushed and comforted with those soft words, and soft kisses, which came from the old lady’s lips like dew upon a flower. “What did he say, grandmamma?” “Every thing that was sweet and kind, darling!” “And you told him——” “That I would ask my grandchild if she loved this young man dearly with all her heart and soul.” “With all her heart, and her soul of souls, tell him she said that, grandmamma.” “And that she loves no one else?” “No one, grandmamma, in this wide, wide world.” “Shall I say that she has never loved any one else, dear?” Georgie’s face was crimson when she lifted her head and looked clearly into that rather anxious face. “He will not ask that, because I told him all about it myself.” The old lady kissed that beautiful, honest face. “That is right, my dear.” “And he did not care in the least; said the first love of a girl was usually half fancy and half nonsense; that a heart was sometimes like fruit, which is never really ripe till the frost gives it a bloom; and a good deal more which I cannot repeat, but love to remember.” “Then I have nothing to do but ask God to bless you both!” “But you have told me nothing. Is the old gentleman pleased?” “Yes, delighted. I never saw him so well satisfied in my life.” “You! Why, grandmamma, did you ever see him before?” The old lady smiled, but answered nothing to the purpose. She only said, “Yes, indeed, he is greatly pleased; and says that there is not a girl in Philadelphia that he would have preferred to my little granddaughter.” “Did he say that? How very kind of him! But, grandmamma, what do you think Aunt Eliza——” “Ah, yes! I know, my dear. She is so apt to make these mistakes; but I have told her.” “Oh, I am glad of that! Did she want to kill me?” “Far from that, Georgie; but we will not talk of her. It makes me sad.” “But you will not think of any thing which can do that; for I want you to be splendid when, when——” “When you are married?” “Yes, grandmamma.” After the blushes had left Georgie’s face, a shade of sadness stole over it, which the old lady observed. “What is the matter, darling?” “Nothing, grandmamma. Only I am so sorry for Anna Burns.” “Indeed! What about her?” “She seems so unhappy!” “Why?” “Ah! I had forgotten. It is not my place to talk about Anna Burns; perhaps she is not so very unhappy, after all. Only—only I do wish somebody who knows how would comfort her; that is, advise with her.” “What if I call upon them in their new house, Georgie? How would that do?” “Splendid! I am sure she would tell you every thing. When will you go?” “Well, suppose we say to-morrow evening?” “That is capital! I will go with you and talk with Mrs. Burns, while you take up Anna.” “That will do, perhaps. I shall invite a few friends to visit them in their new house. What if we give them a surprise party?”