lywell the next
morning, and had some difficulty in keeping her attention fixed on her
class at school. Laura and Charlotte came in together in due time, and
satisfied her so far as to tell her that Amy was very well.

'Is Captain Morville come?' thought Mary. 'No, I cannot guess by Laura's
impressive face. Never mind, Charles will tell me all between services.'

The first thing she saw on coming out of school was the pony carriage,
with Charles and Captain Morville himself. Charlotte, who was all
excitement, had time to say, while her sister was out of hearing,--

'It is all made up now, Mary, and I really am very sorry for Philip.'

It was fortunate that Mary understood the amiable meaning this speech
was intended to convey, and she began to enter into its grounds in the
short conference after church, when she saw the alteration in the whole
expression of countenance.

'Yes,' said Charles, who as usual remained at the vicarage during the
two services, and who perceived what passed in her mind, 'if it is any
satisfaction to you to have a good opinion of your fellow-sponsor, I
assure you that I am converted to Amy's opinion. I do believe the black
dog is off his back for good and all.'

'I never saw any one more changed,' said Mary.

'Regularly tamed,' said Charles. He is something more like his old self
to-day than last night, and yet not much. He was perfectly overpowered
then--so knocked up that there was no judging of him. To-day he has all
his sedateness and scrupulous attention, but all like a shadow of former
time--not a morsel of sententiousness, and seeming positively grateful
to be treated in the old fashion.'

'He looks very thin and pale. Do you think him recovered?'

'A good way from it,' said Charles. 'He is pretty well to-day,
comparatively, though that obstinate headache hangs about him. If this
change last longer than that and his white looks, I shall not even
grudge him the sponsorship Amy owed me.'

'Very magnanimous!' said Mary. 'Poor Laura! I am glad her suspense is
over. I wondered to see her at school.'

'They are very sad and sober lovers, and it is the best way of not
making themselves unbearable, considering--Well, that was a different
matter. How little we should have believed it, if any one had told us
last year what would be the state of affairs to-day. By the bye, Amy's
godson is christened to-day.'

'Who?'

'Didn't you hear that the Ashfords managed to get Amy asked if she w