come to set it
right." In the faces of her friends she saw nothing but confidence.

"Some of you have perhaps already guessed that there is just one Miss
Carpenter. Marion is Miss Unadilla's niece."

"I knew it! I knew it!" Charlotte whispered in an ecstasy.

Norah continued: "We had no idea of making a mystery of it; that
simply happened. Marion was recovering from a long illness, which left
her with a nervous affection of the eyes, so serious she felt she
would lose her sight. She and I were school friends, and when she was
taken ill she sent for me, and I was with her through it all. When she
grew stronger, her physician felt she must have some radical
change--something which would take her thoughts from herself, but
nothing seemed the right thing. Then I thought of putting into
execution an old plan of mine to open a shop. I coaxed her into it,
and we set out to seek our fortune, just as if the rich Miss Carpenter
did not exist,--or, at least, was merely our patron. We came here
partly because the climate was mild, and also because I had been here
before and knew about the place; and it was far enough from Miss
Carpenter's home to make it unlikely she would be recognized. We took
no one into our confidence except Dr. Baird, and it was generally
understood that we were travelling somewhere for Marion's health. The
fiction about the rich Miss Carpenter has annoyed Marion all along;
but as it came about, I didn't see how to avoid it. It really seemed
better that it should not be known." Norah looked at Alex, as if
seeking her opinion.

"Of course, I understand," said Alex; "go on."

"There isn't anything more, except that at the outset we were
discovered by Mr. Landor, Charlotte's guardian, and an old friend of
Marion's. He promised to keep our secret, and also to speak a good
word for us to Miss Virginia."

"My dear, he did; and at the time I was a little surprised, but--"
Miss Virginia hesitated.

Norah interrupted her. "You have all been so good to us. If Marion
were here, she would join me in saying it. The best part of our
venture--and it has been a success in other ways--is the friends we
have made."

"You showed yourselves friendly and won us in spite of ourselves,"
said Miss Sarah.

"I always said there was a mystery," old Mrs. Leigh remarked. "And are
you, too, a millionnairess, Miss Norah?"

Norah spread out her hands in an odd little gesture: "I am sorry, but
I am just a plain poor person."