e."

"Somewhere about ten thousand, I believe. Not enough to make one a
millionaire, but it will educate her and give her some journeys
outside of fairy land," laughing a little. "Perhaps fairy godmother
won't send you adrift for such an accident," looking down in the
wondering eyes.

"The best fortune of all is fairy godmother." Marilla went around and
kissed her, clasped both her hands.

"When I heard from Lorimer that it was all fair sailing I went out and
called on Mrs. Johnson. Well, you should have seen her! She was quite
set up on a pinnacle and declared that she must write out the story.
It is as well I suppose that Newton should have it first hand, and she
will take most of the glory. The Bordens will be surprised."

There was a touch of awkwardness in the silence. Miss Armitage did not
take kindly to the fortune. She would rather have the child owe
everything to her. She had plenty of money. It would be like a young
sister growing up beside her, for somehow she felt curiously young.
Marilla had a simple charming grace that would render her very
attractive. Her perfect candor and honesty joined with a peculiar fine
reticence unusual in a child had appealed strongly to Miss Armitage.
Even her gratitude had a winsome delicacy in it, and it would be a
gracious work to train her in lovely womanly ways through the years to
come.

Did the child feel the subtle atmosphere?

"Fairy godmother, you will always be the best thing in my life," she
said in a soft, sweet tone. "In the summer when I was wondering in
that strange country and could not remember much, I felt a sweet quiet
when you came, just as if some one found me and I was safe. Oh, I had
never loved any one so dearly. I saw so little of my own mother and
she was always tired, fairy godmothers are different."

The door bell rang. "That must be Lorimer," said Dr. Richards and he
reached the hall just as Jane opened the door. Miss Armitage let him
greet his friend before she rose.

"Can't I bring him in here?" asked the doctor.

"Oh, yes."

"This room is my ideal, Lorimer. The grate fire and the shelves of
books give one an immediate welcome. And allow me to present you to
the presiding genius, Miss Armitage."

It was indeed a charming home with an atmosphere that penetrated one's
soul, and they two looked as if they might have been born in it, they
impressed you as being a subtle part of it. It was like a vision as
Lorimer was seating himself, and