had already
made up my mind to decline the invitation.

"Who else? Nobody. If a woman at my age has not learned to travel
without an escort, it is time she did. I suppose that's what you're
driving at. Well, what do you say? Go, or remain at home as you like.
Only I shall regard it as a choice once and for all."

"Aunt Agnes," I answered with an endeavor to express in my tone and
manner the affection and gratitude I felt, "I thank you with all my
heart for your kindness. Whatever you may say, it _was_ extremely kind
of you to offer to take me abroad with you, and I wish I could go."

"What is there to prevent your going?" she inquired sharply.

I hesitated an instant, and then boldly spoke the truth, though I knew
it would operate like a two-edged sword:--

"I have already promised to spend the summer at Tinker's Reach with Aunt
Helen, and she would be disappointed if I failed her at the last moment,
for all her plans are made on that understanding."

"Ah! That is it," she replied with bitter calmness. "Very well, I
disclaim all further responsibility. You act with your eyes open, and
must take the consequences."

There was so much pain and concern in her expression that for an instant
I hesitated, and thought of changing my mind. I went to her and knelt
down beside her chair.

"Aunt Agnes, you must not talk so. I love you as dearly as I love Aunt
Helen; and if I had not promised to spend the summer with her I should
be delighted to go with you. Do not repulse me. I have so few relatives
to care for me, and I shall be very unhappy if you go away angry."

But she refused to be mollified. She did not scold me, and she coldly
suffered me to embrace her at parting; but her air was more grim than I
had ever seen it, and I was conscious of having wounded her deeply.

Perhaps it is needless to say that Mr. Dale was at the bottom of my
decision. A few weeks previous I had confided to him that Aunt Helen had
invited me to spend the summer with her at her new cottage at Tinker's
Reach. He assured me that there were few more charming spots, that it
was a favorite resort of his own, and that he himself proposed to pass
his vacation there. Naturally, I felt bound to a certain extent after
this to go to Tinker's Reach. Indeed, I was eagerly looking forward to a
continuance of our friendship under such happy auspices.

When I had spoken to Mr. Dale regarding his business he replied, as I
have already stated, that it was "w