ter the date of Elma's formal
engagement, and at the expiration of the seventh week of Cornelia's
sojourn in England. There it was for all the world to see;--short,
authoritative, and to the point. Circumstances had altered Poppar's
plan. His visit to Europe must be postponed, he desired his daughter to
return home by the first possible boat. Useless to exclaim, to argue,
to condemn. The command had gone forth; implicit obedience must ensue.

"Will you feel badly when I'm gone, Aunt Soph?" Cornelia asked after
the news had been broken. She looked wistfully into the spinster's
face, and felt herself answered as she noted the involuntary momentary
hesitation which preceded the reply.

"It will naturally be a disappointment to me to miss seeing my brother,
but I hope the pleasure is only deferred. I am glad to have had an
opportunity of making your acquaintance, my dear, though the time is so
curtailed."

"Yes, I guess we've fixed-up an acquaintance right enough!" said
Cornelia, quietly. Seven weeks, or seven years--what did it matter?
She and this woman could never become friends. Time counts for nothing
in the intercourse of souls. An hour may reveal a kindred spirit; no
years can bridge some gaps. Elma would remain a life-long friend, Guest
a life-long memory, but her kinswoman, the nearest on earth with the one
exception of her father, must for ever be a stranger.

Cornelia was sad at heart that day, and Elma was sad, too; opening wide,
startled eyes, and clasping her friend in jealous arms.

"Cornelia, it isn't true! It _can't_ be true! I can't spare you, dear.
Is it really impossible to stay on a little longer? Geoffrey and I
counted on you for our wedding. It is fixed for October, and I wanted
you for a bridesmaid. I wanted you to pay me a visit in my own house!
You have been such a friend to us both, that we _need_ you, Cornelia! I
shall miss you badly!"

"Shucks!" returned Cornelia, lightly. "You'll forget there is such a
creature in existence. _I_ should, in your place, and I don't mind if
you do, for I know you'll remember again another day. This is
Geoffrey's hour, and I won't interfere. If I live, I'll pay you that
visit right enough, and maybe you'll come over to see me. I'd give you
a roaring time. Tell Geoffrey he is bound to bring you over to see
America. I'll think about you on your marriage-day, but I don't know as
I'm sorry to do the thinking at a distance. Wedding-days a