ts. That's what shocked me so severely as to make me
quite ill. But I never should forgive myself if by any delay of mine she
really should depart without having her last wish gratified. Do you
blame me for hurrying away?"

"No, no, no, my child--my own lovely child! I do not wonder my poor
Charley worshiped you, you are so very good! Go, Mary, my darling! But
hurry back as soon as possible."

"Yes, sweet mother, I will. And now, not a word to Emma, or to any one
else who might tell her of these distressing circumstances."

"No, no; certainly not! How thoughtful you are, for one so young, my
good child! Bend down and take my blessing."

Mary Grey bowed her head.

The venerable lady placed her withered hands upon the bent head, raised
her eyes to heaven, and solemnly invoked a blessing on the traitress.

And then Mary Grey arose, kissed her in silence, and left the room.

And thus they parted.

In the hall below she had to part with Emma and Electra.

"We hope you will return to us very soon, dear Mrs. Grey," said Emma
Cavendish, as she kissed her good-bye.

"I hope so too, my dear," answered the widow.

"But you will scarcely get back before I return to school, so ours must
be a very long good-bye," said Electra, as she also kissed the "parting
guest."

"'Tis true, 'tis pity," said Mrs. Grey, between a smile and a sigh.

Dr. Jones then handed her into the carriage, and followed and took a
seat by her side, for he was to attend her to the station and see her
off on her journey.

CHAPTER IX.

EMMA'S VICTORY.

When Emma Cavendish turned back into the house she went up into the old
lady's room with the intention of breaking to her the news of Katherine
Fanning's widowhood and destitution, and of her own desire to invite her
to come and live at Blue Cliffs.

She found Mrs. Cavendish just finishing her nice breakfast with Aunt
Moll in attendance upon her.

"Here, take away the service now," said the old lady, putting down her
empty coffee-cup. "And now, Emma, I am very glad you have come. I feel
quite low about parting with Mary. What an angel she is!"

"Cheer up, grandma! We shall have another addition to our family circle
soon," said Emma, pleasantly.

"Who is coming, my dear?" inquired Mrs. Cavendish, with all the
curiosity of a recluse.

"Oh, another lady!" slowly answered Miss Cavendish, to give Aunt Moll
time to get out of the room with her breakfast tray.

And when the old woman had