all Ethel's reputation for bluntness, it was remarkable how her
force of character made her always called for whenever there was the
least dread of a scene.

She turned abruptly from Harry; and, going outside the window, tried
to realise and comprehend the tidings, but all she could have time to
discover was that Alan's memory was dearer to her than ever, and she was
obliged to hasten upstairs.

Her father quitted the room by one door, as she entered by the other;
she believed that it was to hide his emotion, but Margaret's fair wan
face was beaming with the sweetest of congratulating smiles.

"I thought so," she said, as Ethel came in. "Dear Ethel, are you not
glad?"

"I think I am," said Ethel, putting her hands to her brow.

"You think!" exclaimed Margaret, as if disappointed.

"I beg your pardon," said Ethel, with quivering lip. "Dear Margaret, I
am glad--don't you believe I am, but somehow, it is harder to deal with
joy than grief. It confuses one! Dear Alan--and then to have been set
on it so long--to have prayed so for it, and to have it come in this
way--by your--"

"Nay, Ethel, had he come home, it was his great wish to have done it.
He used to make projects when he was here, but he would not let me tell
you, lest he should find duties at Maplewood--whereas this would have
been his pleasure."

"Dear Alan!" repeated Ethel. "If you are so kind, so dear as to be glad,
Margaret, I think I shall be so presently."

Margaret almost grudged the lack of the girlish outbreak of rejoicing
which would once have forgotten everything in the ecstasy of the
fulfilled vision. It did not seem to be what Alan had intended; he had
figured to himself unmixed joy, and she wanted to see it, and something
of the wayward impatience of weakness throbbed at her heart, as Ethel
paced the room, and disappeared in her own curtained recess.

Presently she came back saying, "You are sure you are glad?"

"It would be strange if I were not," said Margaret. "See, Ethel, here
are blessings springing up from what I used to think had served for
nothing but to bring him pain and grief. I am so thankful that he could
express his desire, and so grateful to dear Harry for bringing it to
light. How much better it is than I ever thought it could be! He has
been spared disappointment, and surely the good that he will have done
will follow him."

"And you?" said Ethel sadly.

"I shall lie here and wait," said Margaret. "I shall see the pla