Miss Virginia.

The thought of Aunt Caroline tossing a penny caused Charlotte a
moment's diversion, and a faint smile curled about her lips as Aunt
Virginia promptly took it all back.

"I realize, of course, Caroline, that it is hard to decide; but,
really, I think you can't refuse Georgiana."

"I shall take the matter under careful consideration till to-morrow,"
replied Mrs. Millard.

Before they left the table Miss Sarah Leigh looked in to ask Virginia
about a Mount Mellick stitch. Thus fortune seemed to favor Charlotte's
plans.

"Are you going to study, dear?" Aunt Virginia asked.

Charlotte flushed at the kind tone, "I am going upstairs, Aunt
Virginia," she answered. "I am tired."

If Aunt Virginia's kindness weakened her resolve to run away, an
encounter with Aunt Caroline in the upper hall made it strong again.

While the servants were at supper and Miss Virginia occupied with the
embroidery lesson, and just as Mrs. Millard left the house by the
front door, a slight figure in a long gray coat with a blue veil over
her face slipped down the back stairs, bag in hand, and out of the
side door.

Pleasant Street was full of swaying shadows, for the wind had risen
and the electric light on the corner swung slowly to and fro.
Charlotte held to the gate a moment to steady herself; she seemed
swaying, too. Not a single person was to be seen. For the first time
in her life she was alone on the street at night. She told herself
there was nothing to fear, but she looked wistfully at the lighted
windows of the houses along the Terrace, and the cheerful glow that
shone from the little shop across the way; but she did not think of
going back. It was not far to the street-car, which would take her to
the door of the station; after that all would be perfectly simple.

CHAPTER TWELFTH

THE DISCOVERY

It was still early when Miss Sarah rolled up her work, saying her aunt
was not well and must not be left any longer alone.

After she had gone Miss Virginia moved about the drawing-room, pushing
chairs back into their places, changing by a few inches the position
of some ornament, and rearranging the folds of the curtains. Meanwhile
she was thinking that, in part at least, the problem that had been
weighing upon her was about to be solved. She had not felt so cheerful
in weeks.

At last she was to have a chance to redeem herself and silence that
troublesome conscience which continually reminded her she was sh