ng
rather agreeable about it.

"Will you have some of the dressing, little girl--I have to call you
that, for I don't know your name," she added, in an inquiring tone.

"Her name is Henrietta, but I generally call her Hetty," said the
traveller.

"What!" said Miss Hetty, dropping the spoon in surprise.

"She was named after a very dear friend of mine," said he, sighing.

"May I ask," said Miss Hetty, with excusable curiosity, "what was the
name of this friend. I begin to feel quite an interest in your little
girl," she added, half apologetically.

"Her name was Henrietta Henderson," said the stranger.

"Why, that is my name," ejaculated Miss Hetty.

"And she was named after you," said the stranger, composedly.

"Why, who in the world are you?" she asked, her heart beginning to beat
unwontedly fast.

"Then you don't remember me?" said he, rising, and looking steadily at
Miss Hetty. "Yet you knew me well in bygone days--none better. At one
time it was thought you would have joined your destiny to mine--"

"Nick Anderson!" said Miss Hetty, rising in confusion.

"You are right. You rejected me, because you did not feel secure of my
principles. The next day, in despair at your refusal, I left the house,
and, ere forty-eight hours had passed, was on my way to India. I had not
formed the design of going to India in particular, but in my then state
of mind I cared not whither I went. One resolution I formed, that I
would prove by my conduct that your apprehensions were ill-founded. I
got into a profitable business. In time I married--not that I had
forgotten you, but that I was solitary and needed companionship. I had
ceased to hope for yours. By-and-by a daughter was born. True to my old
love, I named her Hetty, and pleased myself with the thought that she
bore some resemblance to you. Since then, my wife has died, misfortunes
have come upon me, and I found myself deprived of all my property. Then
came yearnings for my native soil. I have returned, as you see, not as I
departed, but poor and careworn."

While Nicholas was speaking, Miss Hetty's mind was filled with
conflicting emotions. At length, extending her hand frankly, she said:

"I feel that I was too hasty, Nicholas. I should have tried you longer.
But at least I may repair my injustice. I have enough for us all. You
shall come and live with me."

"I can only accept your generous offer on one condition," said Nicholas.

"And what is that?"

"That y