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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
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