t I thought that she was not quite well enough to talk
about it. She says, as I was sure she would, that what you
propose is quite out of the question. I am aware that I
am bound to obey her; and as I think that you also ought
to do so, I shall think no more of what you have said to
me and have written. It is quite impossible now, even if
it might have been possible under other circumstances. I
shall always remember your great kindness to me. Perhaps
I ought to say that I am very grateful for the compliment
you have paid me. I shall think of you always;--till I
die.

Believe me to be,
Your very sincere friend,

DOROTHY STANBURY.

The next day Miss Stanbury again came out of her room, and on the
third day she was manifestly becoming stronger. Dorothy had as yet
not spoken of her letter, but was prepared to do so as soon as she
thought that a fitting opportunity had come. She had a word or two to
say for herself; but she must not again subject herself to being told
that she was taking her will of her aunt because her aunt was too ill
to defend herself. But on the third day Miss Stanbury herself asked
the question. "Have you written anything to Brooke?" she asked.

"I have answered his letter, Aunt Stanbury."

"And what have you said to him?"

"I have told him that you disapproved of it, and that nothing more
must be said about it."

"Yes;--of course you made me out to be an ogre."

"I don't know what you mean by that, aunt. I am sure that I told him
the truth."

"May I seethe letter?"

"It has gone."

"But you have kept a copy," said Miss Stanbury.

"Yes; I have got a copy," replied Dorothy; "but I would rather not
shew it. I told him just what I tell you."

"Dorothy, it is not at all becoming that you should have a
correspondence with any young man of such a nature that you should be
ashamed to shew it to your aunt."

"I am not ashamed of anything," said Dorothy sturdily.

"I don't know what young women in these days have come to," continued
Miss Stanbury. "There is no respect, no subjection, no obedience, and
too often--no modesty."

"Does that mean me, Aunt Stanbury?" asked Dorothy.

"To tell you the truth, Dorothy, I don't think you ought to have
been receiving love-letters from Brooke Burgess when I was lying ill
in bed. I didn't expect it of you. I tell you fairly that I didn't
expect it of you."

Then Dorothy spoke out her mind. "As you think that,