--their own,--their
very own (for Sir Harry intended to buy that too as soon as possible);
Nan engaged to her dearest Dick, and all the neighborhood prepared to
welcome them back!

"If you please, Miss Phillis, Mrs. Squails desires her compliments,
and she is waiting for her dress."

We forbare to repeat Sir Harry's answer. Nevertheless, with Dick's
help, the unfortunate gown was extricated, and privately ironed by
Dorothy.

"That is a good morning's work of yours," observed Phillis, quietly
looking down at the heap at her feet. "Dorothy, it seems Sir Harry is
master here. If any more orders come for us, you may as well say, 'The
Misses Challoner have given up business.'"

CHAPTER XLVII.

"IT WAS SO GOOD OF YOU TO ASK ME HERE."

Mrs. Challoner heaved a gentle little sigh when in the afternoon the
fly carried off Nan and Dick to the station: it brought to her mind
another day that would come far too soon. Phillis spoke out this
thought boldly as she ran back to the cottage.

"I wanted to throw an old shoe for luck, mammie," she said, laughing,
"only I knew Nan would be so dreadfully shocked. How happy they
looked! And Dick was making such a fuss over her, bringing out his
plaid to wrap her in. Certainly he is much improved, and looks five
years older."

Perhaps Dick shared Mrs. Challoner's thought too, for an expression of
deep gravity crossed his face as he sat down by Nan,--a look that was
tender, and yet wistful, as he took her hand.

"Oh, Nan! it does seem so nice to have you all to myself for a
little,--just you and I, alone, and all the rest of the world outside
somewhere! Do you know it is possible to be almost too happy!" And
Dick sighed from the very fulness of content.

Nan gave a merry little laugh at this.

"Oh, no: to me it seems only natural to be happy. When things were at
their worst I knew that they would come right some day; and I could
not be quite miserable, even then. It was hard, of course; but when
one is young, one ought not to mind a little waiting. And we have not
waited long, have we, dear?" But to this Dick demurred.

"It was the longest term I ever passed," he returned, seriously. "When
a fellow is in that sort of unsettled state, one cannot measure time
in the ordinary way. Well, the ordeal is over, thank heaven!" And then
he paused, and continued, a little thoughtfully: "What I have to do
now is to work hard and do my best to deserve you. I shall never be
worthy of