ghter's place, and
to live with her always."

"But, aunt Candy will not," said Matilda, "she will not----"

"Your aunt Candy has consented. I have arranged that. It is safely
done, Matilda. You are to live with Mrs. Laval, and be her child from
henceforth."

Matilda still looked at Mr. Richmond for a minute or two, as if there
must be words to follow that would undo the wonderful tale of these;
but seeing that Mr. Richmond only smiled, there came a great change
over the child's face. The fixedness broke up. Yet she did not smile;
she seemed for the instant to grow grave and old; and clasping her
little hands, she turned away from Mr. Richmond and walked the breadth
of the room and back. Then she stood still again beside the table,
sober and pale. She looked at Mr. Richmond, waiting to hear more.

"It is all true," said her friend.

"Is it for _always?_" Matilda asked, in a low voice.

"Yes. Even so. Mrs. Laval was very earnest in wishing it. I judged you
would not be unwilling, Matilda."

The child said nothing, but the streak of colour began again to come
into her cheeks.

"You are now to be Mrs. Laval's child. She adopts you for her own. In
all respects, except that of memory, you are to be as if you had been
born hers."

"Does Norton know?"

"I have not spoken to him. I really cannot tell."

Again silence fell. Matilda stood with her eyes downcast, the colour
deepening in each cheek. Mr. Richmond watched her.

"Have I done right?" he asked.

"You, sir?" said Matilda, looking up.

"Yes. Have I done right? I have made no mistake for your happiness?"

"Did _you_ do it, sir?"

"Yes, in one way. Mrs. Laval wished it; I arranged it. You know your
mother left me the power. Have I done right?"

"Mr. Richmond," said the child, slowly, "I am afraid to think."

Her friend smiled again, and waited till the power of speech should
come back.

"Was aunt Candy willing?" she said then.

"No, I do not think she was willing. I think the plan was not agreeable
to her. But she gave her consent to it. The reasons in favour of the
plan were so strong that she could not help that."

Matilda privately wondered that any reasons could have had so much
weight; and rather fancied that Mr. Richmond had been the strongest
reason of them all.

"And it is _all done?_" she said, lifting up her eyes.

"All done. Arranged and finished. But Mrs. Laval is afraid to have you
come home before next week."

"Mr. Richmond," sa