ng a pang of pain mingling with the joy; and
this was a peculiarly tender mother, despite her little airs of
severity. There were a few minutes when she dared not trust herself to
speak, then she held out her hand and drew the girl to her side.

"Bless you, my daughter! My good girl--my dear, kind helper. I'll miss
you sorely; but I am glad of anything that makes for your happiness, now
and always. You know that, don't you, darling?"

Maud put down her head and shed a few tears of happiness and excitement,
which had in them no trace of bitterness. When the time arrived for
leaving home, that would doubtless be a real trouble; but at present she
could not realise the wrench, while her mother's certainty concerning
Ned's love was the best medicine possible for the doubts which had been
so distressing since the occasion of his last visit. In ten minutes'
time she returned to her work, with no stain of tear-marks to tell of
her recent emotion, but with a quiet illumination in her face which
satisfied the mother that this attachment to Ned Talbot was no mere
girlish fancy, but the deep faithful love which endures for a lifetime.

The important letter was posted, and the invitation which it contained
accepted by telegram within an hour of its arrival, and half Friday
night Maud lay with wide, bright eyes staring through the darkness, too
excited, too happy, to sleep.

Ned arrived on Saturday afternoon. It was a glorious spring day, the
sun shining so powerfully that for the first time in the year afternoon
tea was carried out to the summer-house, while the family gathered
around on various garden stools and chairs. They were hardly seated
when Ned came walking across the lawn, a tall, handsome figure, in a
spring-like suit, his dark face lit up with a smile of pleasure. Maud
looked at him, aglow with love and pride; but as he drew nearer she
busied herself with the teacups, and had only a casual word of welcome
to offer. It would not do to appear too glad, she told herself; and
when there were so many, an individual greeting was hardly noticed, nor
was there any opportunity for _tete-a-tete_ conversation.

When the tea-things had been carried away, however, and the girls began
to wander about the garden in twos and threes, Maud found Ned by her
side, waiting for her, and allowing the others to walk on ahead. She
looked up with a questioning glance, and met a smile of frank affection.

"Well, have you finished