ed to
you. I can understand your feelings in the matter; but the same time I
think that after Mr. Atherton having saved your life and mine, his
feelings and wishes should influence you very much."

"If you hesitate any longer," Mr. Atherton said, "I shall go in and
fetch Marion out. I have not told her about my plan yet, for in fact we
had other things to talk about; but when I tell her, and she adds her
voice to ours, I am sure you will not be able to refuse any longer."

Mrs. Renshaw exchanged a look with her husband. "It is not necessary,"
she said in a broken voice. "We accept, Harry."

"That is right," Mr. Atherton said as he wrung Mr. Renshaw's hand
warmly, and then affectionately kissed Mrs. Renshaw. "Now we are going
to be a very happy and united family. Now, go in and tell Marion."

"Tell her yourself," Mrs. Renshaw smiled, wiping her eyes; and Mr.
Atherton took his way to the house.

Marion was indeed delighted with the news. The thought of leaving her
mother and father behind had been the one drawback to her happiness. She
had been her mother's right hand and her father's companion. She had
thought how terribly they would miss her, and how, as years went on,
they would, far more than now, feel the difference between their present
life and that they had formerly led. The news that they would be always
near her and settled in a comfortable home filled her with delight. A
few minutes after Mr. Atherton entered the house she ran out to her
father and mother and threw her arms fondly around them. "Is it not
happiness, mother," she cried, "to think that we shall still be
together?"

"If you are not a happy woman, child, it will be your own fault," her
father said. "I consider you a marvellously lucky girl."

"As if I did not know that!" she replied, laughing through her tears.

Mr. Atherton did not sail quite so soon as he had intended. A church had
recently been erected at the central settlement, and a clergyman
established there, and a month after matters were settled between him
and Marion their wedding was celebrated, almost every settler on the
Mohaka being present. The newly-married couple returned to The Glade for
a week, Mr. and Mrs. Renshaw and Wilfrid remaining as the guests of Mr.
Mitford. At the end of that time they returned, and with Mr. and Mrs.
Renshaw sailed for Napier, where they took ship for England.

"What would you have done if I had sailed away for England without ever
mustering up