corner before they left the house. "She still looks
delicate, poor dear," he said. "Do you really consider her to be well
again?"

"As well as she will ever be," Ovid answered. "Before I returned to her,
time had been lost which no skill and no devotion can regain. But the
prospect has its bright side. Past events which might have cast their
shadow over all her life to come, have left no trace in her memory. I
will make her a happy woman. Leave the rest to me."

Teresa and Mr. Mool were the witnesses; Maria and Zo were the
bridesmaids: they had only waited to go to church, until one other
eagerly expected person joined them. There was a general inquiry
for Miss Minerva. Carmina astonished everybody, from the bride-groom
downwards, by announcing that circumstances prevented her best and
dearest friend from being present. She smiled and blushed as she took
Ovid's arm. "When we are man and wife, and I am quite sure of you,"
she whispered, "I will tell _you,_ what nobody else must know. In the
meantime, darling, if you can give Frances the highest place in your
estimation--next to me--you will only do justice to the noblest woman
that ever lived."

She had a little note hidden in her bosom, while she said those words.
It was dated on the morning of her marriage: "When you return from the
honeymoon, Carmina, I shall be the first friend who opens her arms and
her heart to you. Forgive me if I am not with you to-day. We are all
human, my dear--don't tell your husband."

It was her last weakness. Carmina had no excuses to make for an absent
guest, when the first christening was celebrated. On that occasion the
happy young mother betrayed a conjugal secret to her dearest friend.
It was at Ovid's suggestion that the infant daughter was called by Miss
Minerva's christian name.

But when the married pair went away to their happy new life, there was
a little cloud of sadness, which vanished in sunshine--thanks to Zo.
Polite Mr. Mool, bent on making himself agreeable to everybody, paid
his court to Mr. Gallilee's youngest daughter. "And who do you mean to
marry, my little Miss, when you grow up?" the lawyer asked with feeble
drollery.

Zo looked at him in grave surprise. "That's all settled," she said;
"I've got a man waiting for me."

"Oh, indeed! And who may he be?"

"Donald!"

"That's a very extraordinary child of yours," Mr. Mool said to his
friend, as they walked away together.

Mr. Gallilee absently agreed. "Has