ia," she exclaimed, impulsively, "you've always been very kind.
Kinder than I deserve."

"That's nothing to do with it," answered Delia. "People can do without
friends when they deserve them. The thing is, that I promised the
Professor to be your friend, and I haven't carried it out."

"It's been my fault," said Anna, in a penitent voice, "but really and
truly, Delia, you may not believe me, but I _do_ like you better than
Isabel Palmer--or any one. I do indeed."

She spoke the truth. At that moment she felt that she would rather have
Delia for a friend than any one in the world. Yet she was conscious
that, if Delia knew all, she would find it hard to forgive her. What a
pity it all was!

"So, what I want to tell you," continued Delia, "and what I ought to
have told you before, is this. I've let you think that your grandfather
doesn't mind your going so seldom to see him--but I know that he does."

She paused and looked earnestly at Anna.

"Grandfather never says anything about it," Anna murmured.

"That's just it," said Delia. "He's so unselfish and good, he wouldn't
let you or any one know it for the world. He thinks so little of
himself, it would be impossible to offend him. It's not what he _says_.
Oh, Anna, if you really knew, and loved him, you _couldn't_ let
anything else come before him! Not all the Palmers, and Waverleys, and
Aunt Sarahs in the world. You _couldn't_ give him a minute's pain or
disappointment."

She was so moved by her subject, that the tears stood in her dark eyes
as she turned them upon Anna.

"I'll try, Delia; I really will," said the latter, "but it _is_ hard.
Harder than you think. It makes Aunt Sarah different for days
afterwards."

Delia snapped off the head of a water-lily in her impatient fingers.

"Aunt Sarah!" she repeated. Then more gently: "You see, Anna, you must
choose whether you'll pain the Professor or displease Mrs Forrest. You
can't possibly please both of them. You must choose which you think
right, and stick to it. You can't serve God and mammon."

How dreadfully earnest Delia was! It almost frightened Anna to hear her
talk like that.

"I will try," she repeated. "I will do my best, Delia, if only you
won't be angry any longer."

She put her hand softly into her companion's, and Delia's fingers closed
over it in a warm clasp. For the time, the old feelings of confidence
and affection had returned, and when, a little later, Anna walked ba