, and looked earnestly from one to the
other.

"How are you called?" she asked. "I know that you have the same name."

"We thought I had better be Margaret," was the timid reply from the girl
who was able to speak, "and this is Peggy."

"I see!" said the old lady, putting her hand on Peggy's flaxen mane.
"You look like Peggy, little one! I used to call my sister Peggy. And
where is the third Margaret?"

"She has not come down yet; she had a headache last night," said
Margaret, losing all shyness before the kindly glance of those soft
brown eyes. "She is called Rita, and she is very beautiful."

[Illustration: AUNT FAITH'S ROOM.]

"That is pleasant!" said Mrs. Cheriton. "I like pretty people, when they
are good as well. You are a Montfort, Margaret! You have the Montfort
mouth, and chin; but this child must look like her mother." Peggy
nodded, but could not yet find speech.

"And now," the old lady went on, "I am sure you are longing to know who
I am, and why I live here by myself, like an old fairy godmother. Sit
down, my dears, and be comfortable! Here, Margaret, the little
rocking-chair is pleasant; Peggy, child, take the footstool! So! now you
look more at home.

"Well, children, the truth is, I am very old. When my next birthday
comes, I shall be ninety years old; a very great age, my dears! Your
grandfather was my cousin; and when, five years ago, I was left alone in
the world by the death of my dear only son, John Montfort, your uncle,
like the good lad he is, found me out and brought me home with him to
live. He is my godson, and I loved him very much when he was a little
child; so now, when I am old and helpless, he makes return by loving
me."

She paused to wipe her eyes; then went on.

"When one is nearly ninety years old, one does not care to move about
much, even if one is perfectly well, as I am. John knew this (he knows
a great deal), and he fitted up these pleasant rooms, in the warmest and
quietest corner of the house, and here he put me, with my little maid,
and my books, and my cat, and my parrot; and here I live, my dears, very
cheerfully and happily. On pleasant days I go out in my garden, and sit
under the trees. Look out of the window, girls, and see my green
parlour. Is it not pretty?"

The girls knelt on the broad window-seat, and looked out. Before them
was a square, grassy place, smooth and green as an emerald. The house
enclosed it on two sides; the other two were screened by a h