now, Mellicent or me?"

"Both," said Peggy calmly. "I would have no exhibition of my fineries,
but I'd love to have them all the same, and would thoroughly enjoy the
selection. What is more. I believe you will yourself, for, having once
forgotten yourself so far as to get engaged, there is no saying what
folly you may descend to; but whatever you do, dear, I'll help you, and
come over on the eventful morn, to see that your wreath is not put on
_too_ tidily, and to give a few artistic touches to your painfully neat
attire. You will let me be with you on your wedding morning, won't
you?"

"Indeed I will! I shall want every one I love around me to share in my
happiness; and you, dear Peg, are associated with some of the brightest
recollections of my childhood."

"Oh, good gracious, now they are getting sentimental! I am going out
into the garden to eat gooseberries!" cried Mellicent, jumping up from
her seat and rushing out of the room. Mrs Asplin hesitated for a
moment, and then followed suit, and the two girls who were left behind
looked at one another with shy, embarrassed glances. For the first time
since the announcement of the great news they were alone together, and
each waited bashfully for the other to speak. Naturally, however, it
was Peggy who first broke the silence.

"Then you thought it well over, Esther," she said slowly, "and decided
that you would rather marry the professor than go on with your work?
You were so full of ambition for the future and so interested in your
plans that it must have been difficult to give them up and resign
yourself to a quiet domestic life. But I suppose you are quite sure."

Esther smiled with that ineffable superiority of experience which
divides the engaged girl from her old associates.

"I never thought it over. I never `decided' or `resigned myself' or
anything of the kind. Edward wanted me, and that was enough. There was
not room in my mind to think of anything but him. To be with him and
help him is all I care for now."

"And it was no effort, none at all, to give up what you had worked for
all your life? When he asked you to marry him, and you thought of your
work, had you no hesitation, no qualm?"

"I--I never thought of it! I forgot all about it!" said Esther,
blushing; and Peggy bent forward to kiss her with a smile on her lips
and a tear in her eye.

"You dear thing! I am so glad! I am so glad! It is all just as it
should be, and I can