. "How refreshing it is to hear one's
conduct described in the right terms! You are a prejudiced judge, I
fear, Peg, but I like your verdict. Don't leap to conclusions now in
your usual impetuous fashion, and believe that everything is settled,
because it isn't, and won't be for a long time to come. I will not pay
_her_ the poor compliment of seeming to regard her as a solace for the
old disappointment. I will wait and work, and try to make myself more
worthy of her, and then if she will allow me, I'll try to pay her back a
little for all she has done for me. There's a good time coming, Peg!
Yes, yes, I feel it! Some day I shall look back, and see that all the
disappointments I have had to bear have worked together to bring you to
the place where I should meet the greatest blessing of my life. So now,
Peggikins, I have made my confession, and I don't know that I should
have done it even to you, but that my conscience upbraided me for having
treated you shabbily to-day."

"But bless your innocent heart, I knew it long ago. So did Mrs Asplin,
so did mother. So did every one with a head on his shoulders. You
can't go about _staring_ at a person, and keeping your eyes _glued_ on a
person, and looking as if you could never take your eyes _off_ a person
without attracting _some_ attention among intelligent onlookers, my
love! Now, now at this very moment while you are talking to me you are
twisting your head over your shoulder and trying to see what--"

But at this Arthur fled precipitately to the other end of the carriage,
and Peggy laughed softly to herself, not without a sigh of relief at
having escaped any reproaches on her own account. Her eye followed the
dear, handsome fellow, and her heart swelled with thankfulness at the
thought that his troubles seemed indeed to be drawing to an end and a
brighter day dawning before him. There was little doubt what Eunice's
answer would be when the right time came, while Mr Rollo's enthusiastic
appreciation of Arthur seemed to promise that he also would be pleased
to welcome him into his family.

"And he will help Arthur on, as he can do so well, and he will become
famous and celebrated, as we always knew he would. I shall see him yet,
my own brother, with every one crowding around and doing him honour!"
she cried to herself in a little rapture of delight, for old dreams die
hard, and she had not yet outgrown the regret for the scarlet coat, the
plumed hat, the arra