ay perhaps
be able to say. There flits across our memory at the present moment
some reminiscence of angry glances at the too speedy attendance
given by custom-house officers to pretty women. But this priority of
service is, we think, if not deserved, at least so natural, as to
take it out of the catalogue of evils of which complaint should be
made. One might complain with as much avail that men will fall in
love with pretty girls instead of with those who are ugly! On the
present occasion Sir Thomas was well contented. He was out of the
ship, and through the Custom House, and at the railway station, and
back at the inn before the struggling mass of passengers had found
out whether their longed-for boxes had or had not come with them
in the ship. And then Miss Bonner took it all,--not arrogantly, as
though it were her due; but just as the grass takes rain or the
flowers sunshine. These good things came to her from heaven, and
no doubt she was thankful. But they came to her so customarily, as
does a man's dinner to him, or his bed, that she could not manifest
surprise at what was done for her.

[Illustration: Even the captain came to take a special farewell of
her . . .]

Sir Thomas hardly spoke to her except about her journey and her
luggage till they were down together in the sitting-room at the inn.
Then he communicated to her his proposal as to her future life. It
was right, he thought, that she should know at once what he intended.
Two hours ago, before he had seen her, he had thought of telling her
simply where she was to live, and of saying that he would find a home
for her. Now he found it expedient to place the matter in a different
light. He would offer her the shelter of his roof as though she were
a queen who might choose among her various palaces. "Mary," he said,
"we hope that you will stay with us altogether."

"To live with you,--do you mean?"

"Certainly to live with us."

"I have no right to expect such an offer as that."

"But every right to accept it, my dear, when it is made. That is if
it suits you."

"I had not dreamed of that. I thought that perhaps you would let me
come to you for a few weeks,--till I should know what to do."

"You shall come and be one of us altogether, my dear, if you think
that you will like it. My girls have no nearer relative than you. And
we are not so barbarous as to turn our backs on a new-found cousin."
She again kissed his hand, and then turned away from h