d Sally. "I have thought about
little else for a whole year, and my mind is quite made up."

"Very well, then; I have nothing more to say. You are of age, and must
decide such things for yourself; but you've sprung it upon me somewhat
suddenly, Sally. I suppose it was by Mr. Curzon's advice that you kept
your change of opinion dark?"

"Oh dear no! he wished me to tell you weeks ago. But I've been so
happy, I cared so much, I felt as if I could not discuss things with
any one who differed from me."

"Then we won't discuss it," Paul said, drawing a long breath. "What
time does the thing come off? I'll go down and order the fly; I can't
let you walk up to church like that."

"May is going to call for me; she is coming to the service."

"Miss Webster!" said Paul, with a rather incredulous laugh. "I should
not have thought it was at all in her line."

"She's glad; she thinks I'm right," said Sally, gently.

It was on the tip of Paul's tongue to ask Sally if she had heard
anything of May's rumoured engagement to Sir Cecil Bland; but some fear
lest the answer should be in the affirmative held him back. When the
carriage from the Court drew up at the gate, he went down to put Sally
in, and was rewarded by a friendly nod and smile from May.

"Aren't you coming, too?" she asked boldly. "It would make Sally so
happy if you did."

Paul shook his head. "I don't understand these things; I leave them to
those that do."

"I promise to bring her back safely, and I am coming to tea," went on
May, gliding over his refusal. "I've never seen that new wing of yours
since it was finished. Cottage, indeed! I call it quite a mansion!"
with a glance at the addition which had been lately built on to the
Macdonald's house, making it about double its original size.

"A mansion you would not care to inhabit, I expect; but it will do
capitally for Sally and me," said Paul.

"I'll decide that when I've seen it. Good-bye, then, till we meet
later. Tell Dixon to drive to the church, please."

Paul gave the order, and went back to his new sitting-room, seating
himself before his office table, as he called the one which was placed
in the bow window. He opened his business ledgers, and congratulated
himself on the fact of having a long, quiet afternoon of undisturbed
work before him; but one more trivial interruption occurred before he
was entirely left to himself. Mrs. Macdonald knocked at the door and
stood before him arr