e is a pause. Lippa is gazing out of the window, but her thoughts
are very busy. Presently she says, 'Madness generally descends from
father to son, doesn't it?'

Mabel, thinking she is alluding to George, says hastily, 'There is no
necessity whatever--'

'Ah!' and Lippa clasps her hands together and looks eagerly at Mabel,
'then, then, ... there's no great likelihood of my going mad.'

Mabel looks at her. Is this then what she has been worrying about.
'There is no necessity whatever, the doctors said, insanity is not in
your family at all; it was a shock your mother had when she was not very
strong, so dear, please do not fancy foolish things like that.'

Lippa smiles. Oh! the joy of feeling that there is no impediment between
her and Jimmy; it need never have been then, this time of separation,
and yet probably it has been very wholesome for them both. But how to
convey to him that she is ready, aye, and more than willing, to link her
fate with his; there is nothing for it but to wait and see.

* * * * *

And time goes on, as it always does. Autumn passes away, and winter
comes with its frost, snow and fogs, while Lippa waits for the day when
Jimmy will know all, but just now her time is fully occupied, for the
housekeeping has fallen upon her shoulders, as Mabel is up to nothing
but hugging a little bundle with a red face, which made its appearance
one day.

'Ain't you sorry she's a girl?' Teddy is saying as he is chaperoning his
aunt to church on Christmas day, 'because, you know, she's sure not to
like games.'

'It will be some time before she can play games,' replies Lippa,
laughing; 'but you will have to be very good to her. What do you want
her to be called?'

'Lots of names,' says Teddy. 'But look, Auntie; do look, there's Mr
Dalrymple. Do you think he's going to our church?'

'I don't know at all,' she replies, trying to look unconcerned. 'We
shall be there in a moment, come along; it is rude to stare at people.'

She hurries her nephew up the aisle and into their pew, for fear of
coming face to face with Jimmy; she remains a few moments on her knees,
and so does not interfere with Teddy, who having hurried through his
own private devotions, turns round and watches the stream of people
passing in through the door. He suddenly nods and beckons, and when
Lippa rises she finds that Jimmy is sitting one off her, only Teddy
between. It is the first time she has seen him s