ou?" asked the servant, looking surprised.

"Yes; I come at her appointment," said Paul.

"Then I suppose it's all right," said the man. "Will you come in?" he
asked, a little doubtfully.

Paul followed him into the house, and was shown into the drawing-room,
the magnificence of which somewhat dazzled his eyes; accustomed only to
the plain sitting-room of Mr. Cameron.

The servant reappeared after a brief absence, and with rather more
politeness than he had before shown, invited Paul to follow him to a
private sitting-room upstairs, where he would see Mrs. Danforth.

Looking at Paul's plain, though neat clothes, the servant was a little
puzzled to understand what had obtained for Paul the honor of being on
visiting terms with Mrs. Danforth.

"Good evening, Paul," said Mrs. Danforth, rising from her seat and
welcoming our hero with extended hand. "So you did not forget your
appointment."

"There was no fear of that," said Paul, with his usual frankness. "I
have been looking forward to coming all day."

"Have you, indeed?" said the lady with a pleasant smile.

"Then I must endeavor to make your visit agreeable to you. Do you
recognize this desk?"

Upon a table close by, was the desk which had been purchased the day
previous, at Appleton's.

"Yes," said Paul, "it is the one you bought yesterday. I think it is
very handsome."

"I am glad you think so. I think I told you that I intended it for a
present. I have had the new owner's name engraved upon it."

Paul read the name upon the plate provided for the purpose. His face
flushed with surprise and pleasure. That name was his own.

"Do you really mean it for me," he asked.

"If you will accept it," said Mrs. Danforth, smiling.

"I shall value it very much," said Paul, gratefully. "And I feel very
much indebted to your kindness."

"We won't talk of indebtedness, for you remember mine is much the
greater. If you will open the desk you will find that it is furnished
with what will, I hope, prove of use to you."

The desk being opened, proved to contain a liberal supply of stationery,
sealing wax, postage stamps, and pens.

Paul was delighted with his new present, and Mrs. Danforth seemed to
enjoy the evident gratification with which it inspired him.

"Now," said she, "tell me a little about yourself. Have you always lived
in New York?"

"Only about three years," said Paul.

"And where did you live before?"

"At Wrenville, in Connecticut."

"I hav