e almost as if she had been laid in her shroud and shut away. Of
course, he could not have her here and see her love another.

Giles Leverett's dream was much happier. In his mind he saved her for
his favorite. When Anthony was through--and he was putting in law, with
the classics--he would take him in his office, where he would find much
business made to his hand. The house was big enough for them all, and he
had grown curiously interested in young people. Anthony was very fond of
his sweet, fascinating cousin--they all were. He did not know whether
there was any one in Salem quite good enough for her. Saltonstall was a
rather trifling fellow, whose fancies were evanescent.

But Mr. Ed Saltonstall had a good friend in Mrs. Stevens, and she
counselled him not to be too ardent in his pursuit. She said pleasant
little things about him without any effusiveness. She considered his
friendship with her very charming--young men were not generally devoted
to middle-aged women. Once she shrewdly wondered why he had not made
some errand down.

Altogether it was a pleasant visit, though Cynthia kept revolving her
duty, if such there was in the case. A blind, mysterious asking for
something haunted her, something it would be sad to miss out of her
life.

Then she came home alone in the stage. There was a property dispute
going on, where Mr. Leverett was an important witness for a friend. When
the stage stopped, Rachel and Jane both ran out and gave her a joyful
welcome.

"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Cousin Eunice, "we are so glad to get you back.
You are the light _of_ the house, isn't she?" glancing at the other.
"Even Chilian has been mopey, though I think he isn't well. He is
getting thin, too, and goodness knows he had no flesh to lose. Oh, my
dear, I hope you will never go away again while I live;" and she gave a
long sigh as the girl left the room.

She came down presently in a cheerful light frock and began to tell
Cousin Eunice and Jane what she had seen and heard. She was in the full
tide of this, eager, bright, and flushing when Chilian entered. He
greeted her rather languidly. Yes, he had grown thinner, and Cousin
Giles was putting on too much flesh and growing jollier. Chilian did not
look well and an ache went all over Cynthia's body, every nerve being
sympathetic. He was not silent, however; he asked questions, but she
thought he was hardly paying attention to the answers. He remained down
in the sitting-room and read