"What are you talking about, dearie?" she asked, returning the embrace
of the excited girl.

"Where is that message you were told to deliver to me, Charlotte?" Mr.
Landor demanded.

"Cousin Frank!" she cried, releasing Marion, "where did you come
from?" Then glancing from one to the other, she added, "But you didn't
wait for it. Oh, I am so glad!"

"You are a tremendous goose, Charlotte," said Marion, but she laughed.
In fact they all three laughed a great deal in the course of the next
few minutes.

"I have never exactly understood how you came to be so wise on this
subject, Charlotte," Mr. Landor said, making her sit beside him.

"You know you never could keep anything to yourself, Francis," Miss
Carpenter remarked reproachfully.

Charlotte looked mischievous. "The beginning of it was when I found
those verses about the rose that was out of reach, and you were so
provoked I thought they must mean something. Then Aunt Cora said--"

"Never mind Aunt Cora," Francis said, laughing; "this will do."

"I agree with you," remarked Marion.

"Charlotte, Miss Virginia is standing at the door. I know she is
distracted over your absence," said Norah, entering.

"She knows I am here, but I mustn't stay," she rose regretfully.

Francis accompanied her. "And so you think your Miss Carpenter is
lovelier than mine?" he remarked, as they crossed the street.

"Well, at least she is just as lovely," Charlotte answered blithely.

* * * * *

The news spread quickly. The Terrace was stirred to its depths. Life
within its quiet borders was becoming exciting. The announcement of
Madelaine's engagement with all the splendors in prospect would have
sufficed for one season, but even this was eclipsed by the romance of
the shop,--so named by Mrs. Leigh.

"Look like I already knowed Miss Marion was a rich lady," Aunt Belle
was heard to declare. "Yes'm, she done carry her haid so proud-like."

In the shop many a serious conference was held by Marion, Norah, and
Alexina, and at length Miss Sarah was called in. As a result, another
surprise was sprung upon the Terrace. The corner shop was to be given
up--Norah could not live there alone--and a new one opened in the
spacious drawing-rooms of the Leigh house. Here there would be room
to expand, Norah would have a home, and Miss Sarah would be freed from
the necessity of boarders. There were those who held moreover that by
this arrangement the enterpr