k in his chair and put his hand over his eyes. He
felt that he had received his answer, and it was a very bitter moment
for him. He had hardly dared hope that this bright, beautiful child
could care for him, yet the realization came home to him none the less
keenly. When Miss Madeline, paling and flushing by turns, came shyly
in he had recovered his self-control sufficiently to be able to say
"good evening" in a calm voice.

Miss Madeline sat down opposite to him. At that moment she was
devoutly thankful that she had never had any other proposal to refuse.
It was a dreadful ordeal. If he would only help her out! But he did
not speak and every moment of silence made it worse.

"I--received your letter, Mr. Thorne," she faltered at last, looking
distressfully down at the floor.

"My letter!" Mr. Thorne turned towards her. In her agitation Miss
Madeline did not notice the surprise in his face and tone.

"Yes," she said, gaining a little courage since the ice was broken.
"It--it--was a very great surprise to me. I never thought you--you
cared for me as--as you said. And I am very sorry because--because I
cannot return your affection. And so, of course, I cannot marry you."

Mr. Thorne put his hand over his eyes again. He understood now that
there had been some mistake and that Miss Madeline had received the
letter he had written to her niece. Well, it did not matter--the
appearance of the young man in the garden had settled that. Would he
tell Miss Madeline of her mistake? No, it would only humiliate her and
it made no difference, since she had refused him.

"I suppose it is of no use to ask you to reconsider your decision?" he
said.

"Oh, no," cried Miss Madeline almost aghast. She was afraid he might
ask it after all. "Not in the least use. I am sorry--so very
sorry--but I could not answer differently. We--I hope--this will make
no difference in our friendly relations, Mr. Thorne?"

"Not at all," said Mr. Thorne gravely. "We will try to forget that it
has happened."

He bowed sadly and went out. Miss Madeline watched him guiltily as he
walked across the lawn. He looked heart-broken. How dreadful it had
been! And Lina had refused twelve men! How could she have lived
through it?

"Perhaps one gets accustomed to doing it," reflected Miss Madeline.
"But I am sure I never could."

"Did Mr. Thorne feel very badly?" whispered Lina that night.

"I'm afraid he did," confessed Miss Madeline sorrowfully. "He looked
s