er in its true light."

"It is possible," said Graham. "Well, as I was saying; Aunt
Barbara, for the sake of the promise I made her father on his
death-bed, if for no other reason, I shall and must always
take an interest in Madelon."

"And I for her mother's sake," replied Mrs. Treherne, stiffly.
"If you have no other interest in Madelon than----however, it is
useless to discuss that. I want to know how we have
disappointed you--Madelon and I--for you are disappointed; tell
me, Horace--I am really anxious to know."

"Dear Aunt Barbara, I am not at all disappointed; or, if I am,
it is not your fault or hers--quite the reverse. Nothing but
the perversity of human nature. Shall I own the truth? All
these years I have kept in my mind a dear little girl in a
shabby old frock which she had outgrown--a dear, affectionate
little soul, with so few ideas on people and things, that she
actually took me for one of the best and wisest of human
beings. See how much vanity there is in it all! I come back,
and find a demure, well-drilled, fashionable young lady. I
might have known how it would be, but it gave me a sort of
shock, I own--my little wild Madelon gone for ever and a day,
and this proper young lady in her place."

"You are unreasonable, Horace," said Mrs. Treherne, half
laughing, half vexed; "and ungrateful too, when Madeleine has
been working so hard, with the hope, I know, of pleasing and
astonishing you with her doings."

"But I am pleased," said Graham. "Astonished? No, I cannot be
astonished that Madelon, with you to help her, should
accomplish anything; but I am delighted, charmed. What more
shall I say? So much so, Aunt Barbara, that when I am married--
as I mean to be shortly, and set up a house of my own--you and
Madelon will have to pay me visits of any length. I _shall_
always feel that I have a sort of property in her, through
early associations."

"Are you going to be married shortly?" said Mrs. Treherne;
"have you anything definite to do? Where are you going to
settle?"

"Do you not know?" he answered. "Dr. Vavasour has offered me a
partnership."

"And you have accepted it?"

"Not yet. He has given me six months to think it over; so I
need not hurry my decision; and, in the meantime, I have
plenty to do with my book. In fact, I need the rest."

"It seems a pity--" began Mrs. Treherne.

"What seems a pity, Aunt Barbara?"

"That with your talents you should settle down for life in a
country