'd go off to some place in Europe, Paris, maybe, and have a
beautiful house and servants to wait on us and horses and a carriage
and we'd travel about like grand folks. It would be as nice as that
night when you went to the palace and danced with the Prince, and I'd
buy you fine clothes and diamonds and I'd wait on you hand and foot; I
don't wonder the babies loved you. You are the sweetest thing the good
God ever sent down here!"

And then Marilla hugged Bridget and kissed her and they both cried out
of pure love.

"That Lizzie does very well and don't bother me, but it isn't like
having some one to slip up to you with a smile of sunshine that warms
your heart through and through."

Yet it was flattering to be so well loved, but she did not want to
come back and be a nurse maid again. Ah, if she could only stay with
Miss Armitage! She began to study a little, she was so eager to learn.
The music enchanted her and she was delighted to pick out tunes with
her soft touch.

"I don't understand what Mrs. Johnson means," Miss Armitage said to
the doctor. "I offered to adopt Marilla and educate her and see that
she was well placed in life. I have no near relatives, and I don't
believe I shall ever marry, I like my life as it is, but she was so
sort of mysterious and secretive and declared she could not give an
answer at present, as if she had some further plans. I did make the
most of her having a weak heart--you said so and Doctor Baker as well.
Oh, do you believe there is any real danger?"

She turned pale at the thought.

"With care I think she will outgrow it. She has lived in an
overstrained atmosphere with those children. Then it was a dreadful
shock to have the old lady die that way when she was looking for a
tender recognition. What happened about a fortnight before?"

"I do not know, I found her unconscious. The ladies were out, the old
Aunt had a stroke. It is such a sweet, promising life, and can be
developed into something worth while. You may think me visionary--"

Oh, why could she not see this other life that might be blessed and
broadened by her love!

"I am afraid there is something back of it all that I cannot fathom,"
she continued. "It haunts me. Suppose you were to see this Mrs.
Johnson. A man can sometimes penetrate plans--"

And he was in collusion with Mrs. Johnson, keeping the secret from the
woman he loved, but if there should be some mistake!

"Yes, I will see Mrs. Johnson," he said sl