s, that was Dick," answered Phillis, stooping a little over her
work. "He is not handsome, poor fellow! but he is as nice as possible.
They live at Longmead; that is next door to our dear old Glen Cottage,
and the gardens adjoin. We call him Dick because we have known him all
our lives, and he has been a sort of brother to us."

"Oh, yes, I see," drawled Archie, slowly. "That sort of thing is very
nice when you have not a man belonging to you. It is a little awkward
sometimes, for people do not always see this sort of relationship. He
seemed a nice sort of fellow, I should say," he continued, in his
patronizing way, stroking his beard complacently. After all, the
sandy-headed youth was no possible rival.

"Oh, Dick is ever so nice," answered Phillis, enthusiastically; "not
good enough for--" and then she stopped and broke her thread. "I am
glad we are so fond of him," she continued, rather hurriedly, "because
Dick is to be our real brother some day. He and Nan have cared for
each other all their lives, and, though Mr. Mayne is dreadfully angry
about it, they consider themselves as good as engaged, and mean to
live down his opposition. They came to an understanding yesterday,"
finished Phillis, who was determined to bring it all out.

"Oh, indeed!" returned Archie: "that must be a great relief, I am
sure. There is your little dog whining at the door; may I let him in?"
And, without waiting for an answer, Archie had darted out in pursuit
of Laddie, but not before Phillis's swift upward glance had shown her
a face that had grown perceptibly paler in the last few minutes.

"Oh, poor fellow! I was right!" thought Phillis, and the tears rushed
to her eyes. "It was best to speak. I see that now; and he will get
over it if he thinks no one knows it. How I wish I could help him! but
it will never do to show the least sympathy: I have no right." And
here Phillis sighed, and her gray eyes grew dark with pain for a
moment. Archie was rather a long time absent; and then he came back
with Laddie in his arms, and stood by the window.

"Your news has interested me very much," he said, and his voice was
quite steady. "I suppose, as this--this engagement is not public, I
had better not wish your sister joy, unless you do it for me."

"Oh, no; there is no need of that," returned Phillis, in a low voice.
"Mother might not like my mentioning it; but I thought you might
wonder about Dick, and----" here Phillis got confused.

"Thank yo