have explained
that you regard me as a mother, though really my nephew. You must
give the same explanation. Jasper is at home now, not very well
pleased to find that he has a step-mother. But it is done, and he
will find it can't be undone. Be prudent, follow my directions
implicitly, and you will find it to your account.

"Your devoted aunt,

"Matilda Thorne Kent.

"P.S.--I have told Mr. Kent about you, and he authorizes me to
invite you here to spend the next vacation."

CHAPTER VII.

NEW RELATIONS.

Jasper remained till the next afternoon. His father urged him to stay
longer, and his step-mother, with apparent cordiality, seconded the
invitation; but Jasper felt that the charm of home was gone. The new
wife had stepped in between his father and himself. He felt sure that
the marriage had not been of his father's seeking. To him it was no
object. To the former governess it was a matter of importance, since it
secured her a permanent home and position, and a share of Mr. Kent's
property.

There was an old servant in the family, a trusty maid, who had been in
it before Jasper was born. With her he could speak confidentially.

"Tell me, Margaret," he asked, "how came my father to marry Miss
Thorne?"

Margaret went to the door and looked out cautiously, then closed it.

"I don't want her to hear what I say," she commenced, when convinced
that they were in no danger of listeners, "but it's my belief she asked
your father to marry her."

"Do you really believe that, Margaret?"

"Yes, I do, Master Jasper. She's that bold she wouldn't mind it, not a
bit. Only she'd do it sly-like. I know just how she'd do it. She'd tell
him how she hadn't got a home, and must go out into the wide world, and
get him to pity her. Then, you know, he'd got used to seeing her round,
and a sick man don't like changes."

"Why couldn't she stay as governess to Florence?"

"According to her father's will Florence is to pass the next four years
in the family of his sister, and she--that's her aunt--has a governess
for her own children that'll do for Florence, too. So there wasn't no
need of Miss Thorne staying here any longer. Your father asked her to
stay a while, till she could find another place. It's my belief she
didn't try, being bent on staying here as the mistress. At any rate, she
told your father she couldn't get a place, and he offered her the one
she wanted, that of his wife."