or Tildy brought me a letter
to-day from mother. I had written to mother to beg of her not to let
him come; but he got hold of the letter, and he was nearly mad about
it. The end of it is that he and she are coming on _Saturday_, and,
somehow, I can't bear it. I must run away; I _cannot_ endure it!"

"I don't wonder," said Aneta. "Let me think. Lay your head on my
shoulder, Maggie. Oh, how tired you are!"

"Aneta, you seem to me quite new--just as though I had never seen you
before."

"I think you and your story have opened my eyes and done me good,"
said Aneta. "Then what you said about the sufferings of the poor--I
mean your sort of poor--gave me great pain. Will you take off your
things and lie down, and let me lie by your side? Do, Maggie
darling!"

Maggie darling! Such words to come from Aneta Lysle's lips! Maggie
felt subjugated. She allowed her rival queen to undress her, and
presently the two girls were lying side by side in the little bed.
Maggie dropped off into heavy slumber. Aneta lay awake.

It was early morning when Aneta touched her companion.

"Maggie, I have been thinking hard all night, and I am going to do
something."

"You! What can you do? Oh, I remember everything now. Oh, the horror!
Oh, how can I endure it? Why didn't I run away?"

"Maggie, you must promise me faithfully that you will never run away.
Say it now, this minute. I believe in your word; I believe in your
fine nature. I will help you with all my might and main through
school-life, and afterwards. Give me your word now. You will stay at
Aylmer House?"

"I will stay," said poor Maggie.

"I don't ask any more. Thank you, dear. Maggie, do nothing to-day, but
leave matters in my hands. You are not well; your head aches, your
forehead is so hot."

"Yes, I have a headache," owned Maggie.

"I shall be away for the greater part of the day, but I will ask Miss
Johnson to look after you. Don't say anything until I return."

"But what are you going to do?"

"I am going to see your mother and your stepfather."

"Aneta!"

"Yes."

"Oh Aneta, you must not see him!"

"It is probable that I shall seem him, dear; I am not easily alarmed.
I will take Aunt Lucia with me. I am going downstairs now to ask Mrs.
Ward's permission."

"And you will say nothing about me?"

"Something, but nothing of your story. When you feel well enough you
can get up and go on with the preparations for to-morrow. I believe we
shall have our happy day