is past, may I believe what I dared not feel assured of
even in former days?'

'Did you not?' said Theodora, sorrowfully. 'Then my pride must have been
even worse than I supposed.'

'Only let me hear the word from you. You do not know what it would be to
me!'

'And did you really think I did not care for you? I, whose affection
for you has been a part of my very self! I am more grieved than ever.
I would never have tormented you if I had not thought you knew my heart
was right all the time.'

'It was my fault; my anger and impatience! And you let me hope that
this--this undeserved feeling has survived even my usage!'

'Nay, it was that which taught me its power. Your rejection was the
making of me; thanks to Violet, who would not let me harden myself, and
ruin all.'

'Violet! I could almost call her our presiding spirit, sent to save us
from ourselves!'

'Dear Violet! how glad she will be.'

'Then,' said Percy, as if he had only room for one thought, 'are we
indeed to begin anew?'

'I will try to be less unbearable,' was the stifled answer.

'We have both had lessons enough to teach us to be more humble and
forbearing,' said Percy, now first venturing to take her hand. 'Let
us hope that since this blessing has been granted us, that we shall be
aided in our endeavours to help each other.'

There was a grave and chastened tone about the meeting of these two
lovers: Theodora almost terrified at realizing that the bliss she
had once forfeited was restored to her, and Percy peculiarly
respectful--almost diffident in manner, feeling even more guilty towards
her than she did towards him. Neither could be content without a
full confession of their wrongs towards each other, and the unjust
impressions that had actuated them; and in the retrospect time passed so
quickly away, that they were taken by surprise when the candles came in.

'I need not go?' entreated Percy.

'No, indeed; but you have had no dinner.'

'Never mind--I want nothing.'

Theodora ran up-stairs. Violet understood the suppressed call in the
dressing-room, and met her with outstretched arms.

The children never forgot that evening, so delightful did the owl-man
make himself. Helen even offered him a kiss, and wished him good night,
saucily calling him Percy; and Johnnie set his aunt's cheeks in a glow
by saying, 'It ought to be Uncle Percy, if he belonged to Aunt Helen.'

'What do you know of Aunt Helen?' said Percy, lifting him on his knee