ourse, you could not take Cynthia. Her father made a
generous provision for you, and I think he chose wisely for his child.
But----"

"I don't know that I want to begin over again," and she gave a peculiar
smile. "Five seems quite an undertaking when you have had only one. And
you have taken so much the charge of her."

"But you see, now she will need a woman's guidance more than ever. She
has outgrown childhood. I see the change in her every day. Eunice could
not supervise her clothes and her pleasures, times have changed so much.
I want her to be very happy and have a life like other girls----"

She thought she could give up the prospect good as it was, won by that
persuasive voice. And she had come to really love Miss Eunice, who was
blossoming in a new phase now that there was nothing to restrain her
natural sweetness.

"I promised her father to do the best I could for her. I love her very
much. I enjoy the home here. I do not think I could be any happier. And
I am so used to owning myself that I do not feel disposed to give up my
liberty. If I had no prospect, I might consider it. And Cynthia will
need some one as she grows older to see that she makes the right sort of
acquaintances and guide her a little."

"Then since all is agreeable we can count on your staying. You cannot
imagine my own thankfulness;" and he pressed her hand cordially.

"Isn't it funny!" cried Cynthia. "Why, Margaret Plummer goes to Madam
Torrey's, but she is very--well, I don't know just how to describe it,
only she said once that they would all make the house too hot to hold a
step-mother. And, oh, dear Rachel, I couldn't bear to have anybody ugly
to you. And then you know we couldn't give you up. Cousin Chilian said
so, and Miss Eunice cried."

Miss Winn winked some tears out of her eyes, though she tried to smile.
It was very comforting to a woman without kith or kin to feel so welcome
in a household.

Cynthia was sitting on the step of the porch one May night when the moon
was making shifting shadows through the trees and silvering the paths.
Chilian was studying the face, and wondering a little what was flitting
through the brain that now and then gave it such intentness.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked.

"Oh, Cousin Chilian!" She flushed a lovely, rosy glow. "Building an air
castle."

"Is it very airy? So far that it would be a journey for another person
to reach it?"

"Oh, part of it is near by. The other is wha