n them--none!

She had little idea that Evelyn was saying to herself, "What a sweet
face! Erle never told me how lovely she was. Oh, my darling, how could
you help it? but you shall not be unhappy any longer!"

"Of course I knew who it was," went on Fern, gently; "you are the Miss
Selby whom Mr. Erle is to marry. It is very kind of you to come and
see me."

Oh, the bitter flush that passed over Evelyn's face; but she only
smiled faintly. "Do you know, it is you who have to do me a kindness.
It is such a lovely afternoon, and you are alone. I want you to put on
that bonnet again and have a drive with me; the park is delicious, and
we could have our talk all the same. No, you must not refuse," as Fern
colored and hesitated at this unexpected request; "do me this little
favor--it is the first I have ever asked you." And Fern yielded.

That drive seemed like a dream to Fern. The setting sun was shining
between the bare trees in the park, and giving rosy flushes to the
snow. Now and then a golden aisle seemed to open; there was a gleam of
blue ice in the distance. Miss Selby talked very quietly, chiefly of
Mr. Huntingdon's death and Mrs. Trafford's sudden failure of strength.
But as the sunset tints faded and the gray light of evening began to
veil everything, and the gas-lights twinkled, and the horses' feet
rang out on the frozen road, Evelyn leaned back wearily in her place
and relapsed into silence. Either the task she had set herself was
harder than she thought, or her courage was failing; but the brave
lips were quivering sadly in the dusk.

But as the carriage stopped, she suddenly roused herself. "Ah, are we
here?" she said, with a little shiver; "I did not think we should be
home so soon." Then turning to the perplexed Fern, she took her hand
gently. "You must have some tea with me, and then the brougham shall
take you back;" and, without listening to her frightened remonstrance,
she conducted her through a large, brilliantly lighted hall and down a
narrow corridor, while one of the servants preceded them and threw
open a door of a small room, bright with fire-light and lamp-light,
where a pretty tea-table was already set.

Fern did not hear the whispered order that Miss Selby gave to the
servant, and both question and reply were equally lost on her. "Do not
say I have any one with me," she said, as the man was about to leave
the room; and then she coaxed Fern to take off her bonnet, and poured
her out some t