The maid said to herself that it was surely the most fortunate nap her mistress had ever taken, for she had thus escaped meeting Mr. Gordon's clerk. She little dreamed of that unfortunate meeting at the gates of Eden that evening between Ross Powell and the false Beatrix Gordon. Laurel received the letter and the packet. She opened the latter first, and found that it contained a beautiful set of pearls in a velvet-lined, Russia leather case. "It is a beautiful gift," said Mrs. Le Roy, who was a critical judge of jewels. "It is a pity we live so quietly at Eden; you will have no chance to display them. I shall have to give a dinner-party or a reception." "Oh, pray do not--at least on my account," panted Laurel, growing crimson, and frightened all at once. "I should not like it, indeed--that is, I mean mamma would not. I have not come out yet, you know." "Very well, my dear, I shall not do so unless you wish. I am rather pleased that you do not care for it, for I am rather fond of seclusion and quiet myself. But I fancied it must be very dull for a pretty young girl like you," replied Mrs. Le Roy, kindly. "Dull!" cried Laurel, with shining eyes. "I have never been so happy anywhere in my life!" But she said to herself that she would never wear the jewels, the beautiful, shining, moon-white pearls, never! She would send them at the first opportunity to the true Beatrix Gordon. And while Mrs. Le Roy pondered delightedly over her impulsive words, Laurel opened and read Mrs. Gordon's letter. When she had finished, she sat for some little time in silence, musing gravely, with her small hands locked together in her lap. "Does your letter trouble you, Beatrix?" asked Mrs. Le Roy, seeing how grave and anxious she looked. The girl looked up. "Mamma and papa are about to take a little Southern trip for the benefit of mamma's health," she said. "Mamma dreads the beginning of autumn in New York. The changeable weather affects her lungs unpleasantly. She has written to ask if I would like to accompany them." "I have received a letter of the same import from Mrs. Gordon," answered the lady. "She allows you to take your choice in the matter--to go with her, or to remain at Eden with me until she returns." Laurel gave her a wistful, inquiring glance from her expressive eyes. The lady interpreted it aright. "I shall be happy if you elect to remain with me that long, my child," she answered, cordially, in answer to that mute question. "Then I shall stay with you. I do not want to go away from beautiful Eden," cried Laurel, quickly. "Thank you, my dear, I am gratified by your preference," Mrs. Le Roy answered, smilingly.