one
simple question, to which she expected a truthful answer, was the
crucial test.

He did not hesitate in replying. If he did, he knew the result would be
fatal to his hopes.

"Only the promptings of her own good nature. She is one of the
warmest-hearted women in the world," continued Quincy. "I will tell you
just how it happened. I told her I had found an assistant to help you in
your work, and that the next thing was to fix upon a place for a summer
residence. I asked her opinion, and after considering the advantages and
disadvantages of a score of places, she finally settled upon Nantucket
as being the most desirable. Then she said, 'While you are finding a
place and getting it ready for them, ask Miss Pettengill to come and
visit me and bring her friend. Tell her that I am rich, as far as money
goes, but poor in love and companionship. Tell them both that I shall
love to have them come and will do everything I can to make their visit
a pleasant one.' Those were her words as nearly as I can remember them;"
and Quincy waited silently for the decision.

It soon came. Alice went to him and extended her hand, which Quincy
took.

"Tell her," said Alice in her quiet way, "that I thank her very much and
that we will come."

"How soon?" inquired Quincy anxiously and rather abruptly.

"In a few days," replied Alice. "I can get ready much sooner with Miss
Very to help me."

She withdrew the hand, which she had unconsciously allowed to remain in
his so long, and a slight flush mounted to her cheek, for Quincy had
equally unconsciously given it a gentle pressure as he relinquished it.

"I must do up these proofs," said he, going to the table. "I will get
the next train to Boston. I will be back to-morrow noon, and in the
afternoon I will drive over to Montrose about that deed of the Putnam
house. I know Aunt Ella will be delighted to hear that you are coming."
But he said nothing about his own delight at being the bearer of the
tidings.

When he had gone, Alice sat in her chair as she had many a time before
and thought. As she sat there she realized more strongly than she had
ever done that if Fate was marking out her course for her, it had
certainly chosen as its chief instrument the masterful young man who had
just left her.

The remainder of that day and the morning of the next Alice spent in
dictating to Rosa a crude general outline of Blennerhassett. During the
work she was obliged, naturally, to address Ro