hen Rita comes in, as I hope she will do soon,--I sent word
to her that I should be glad to see her here when she had had her talk
with her brother,--we will go over the whole matter, and find out what
John Strong and John Montfort have to say for themselves."

He turned the subject, and began to talk of the garden and the flowers,
in his usual quiet, cheerful way, till Peggy began to steal shy glances
at him under her eyelashes, and finally to hold her head up and smile
without looking as if she had stolen a sheep.

They had not long to wait. Before they had settled the position of the
new rose-bed, Rita's door was heard to open softly; then came the sound
of trailing garments in slow and stately motion, and the next moment
Rita entered the room.

She was dressed in deep black from head to foot. A black veil covered
her hair, and hung gracefully from her shoulders, and in her hand she
carried a black fan.

There were dark circles under her eyes, and she looked pale but lovely.
Mr. Montfort rose and came forward, holding out his hand. "My dear
niece," he said with some formality, "let us shake hands in all
friendliness."

But Rita did not take the outstretched hand. Instead, she folded her
hands, and sank down in the deepest and most beautiful courtesy that
ever was seen. Her eyes remained downcast, the long lashes resting on
her clear, white cheek.

[Illustration: RITA'S APOLOGY.]

"My uncle," she said, and her tone was dignified, pathetic, and
resentful, all in one, "I come to make my submission to you, and to ask
your pardon for my offences. My brother demands it, and I obey the head
of my house, the representative of my father. I pray you to forgive me!"

Mr. Montfort subdued an unruly twinkle in his eyes, and answered
gravely:

"I pardon you, my niece, freely. I beg you to consider the matter as if
it had never existed. My house is yours, and all that it contains; pray
be seated."

Rita looked up, startled at hearing in English the phrase of Spanish
courtesy so familiar to her ears; but Mr. Montfort's face was
inscrutable, as he brought forward a chair, and handed her to it as if
she were a duchess.

But Rita was not ready to sit down yet; she had arranged her scene, and
must go through with it. She advanced, and knelt down by Margaret's
couch. "Marguerite," she said sadly, "you saved my life. It was
valueless, I have learned; it was not worth the saving; nevertheless I
thank you from my heart of hea