This was certainly magnanimous in her, yet she was not particularly happy over the situation. Not that she loved Revere, but a woman never forgives the defection of an old admirer. Although she may have been married for twenty years, when her sometime lover follows her example, she always feels that it is an evidence of masculine depravity and disloyalty. However, Josephine could not justly reproach him in view of her declared affection for Charles Van Dorn. Yet he might have had the decency to wait a little longer, she thought, somewhat bitterly, as she left the porch. She was a generous girl, though, and had a good heart. When they were alone, she slipped her arm around Emily's waist, which was an unusual and remarkable familiarity under any circumstances on her part, and whispered in her ear,-- "Tell me, do you love him very much?" "I--we quarrelled a few minutes ago about----" "About me, I'll warrant," shrewdly. "Yes," shamefacedly. "You knew he was engaged to me, then?" "Yes; he told me so." "And you knew the engagement was broken this morning?" "Yes, but----" "Well, there is nothing to quarrel about. Tell me, now, honestly, do you love him very much?" "More than anything under the sun," said Emily, burying her face on Josephine's shoulder; "don't you love him yourself?" "I? Not a bit," laughed the older girl. "Oh, I mean, yes, of course, a great deal. I like and admire him immensely; but, you see, I happen to love--somebody else." "I don't understand how you could love anybody else after having been engaged to Richard. Are you sure you don't?" ingenuously. "Perfectly sure," complacently. "And you are not giving him up for my sake?" "Child, I had never a thought of you when I gave him up. I did it because I loved somebody else, and that's all. I would never have done for Dick, anyway; but you, I think, will suit him exactly. I hope you will be very happy, I'm sure." "Do you think his mother----?" anxiously. "I'm sure of that, too," answered Josephine, reassuringly. "We are going to be great friends, I know." "I never had a friend,--a girl friend, that is,"--returned Emily; "I have missed one so much. You can't confide everything to your grandfather and a sailor-man like Captain Barry, you know." "I should think not," laughed Josephine. "And I shall be so glad to be friends with you." "And are you sure you do not love Dick?" doubtfully. "I am quite sure of it," decidedly. "It is so very hard for me to believe that, you know; I do not see how you could help it," innocently. "Wait until you see Charlie--Mr. Van Dorn, I mean." "I am sure that would make no difference," returned Emily, confidently. CHAPTER XXI A HAPPY CONSUMMATION