declared was a homely Te Deum, sacred and peculiar to
the race of Rutherford matrons.

Audrey straightened herself when she heard Mollie's plaintive lament.

'Now, Mollie, I thought you promised me that you would make yourself as
happy as possible.'

'I said I would try,' returned Mollie, her eyes filling with tears; 'but
how can I help missing you? I do mean to do my very best--I do indeed,
Miss Ross.'

'Come, that is bravely said. I know it is hard upon you, my dear, taking
Kester away.' But Mollie would not let her finish her sentence.

'Oh no; you must not say that. I am so glad for Kester to go. Do you
know, he is so pleased and excited that he can hardly sleep when he goes
to bed; and he wakes in the night to think about it. I do believe he
loves Captain Burnett as much as I love you; he is always talking about
him. After all'--here Mollie dried her eyes--'it is not so bad for me as
it is for mamma: she is always wretched without Cyril; you can't think
how restless and unlike herself she is when he is away from her; she
spends half her time writing to him or reading his letters. Cyril always
writes such nice long letters.'

'And Kester and I will write to you; you will be glad of letters, too,
Mollie.'

Evidently this charming idea had not occurred to Mollie, for she darted
from her place and gave Audrey a grateful hug.

'Do you mean it? will you really write to me? Oh, you dear thing! how I
do love you!' with another hug. 'But you must not tire yourself, you
know, or Kester either; they need not be long letters, but just nice
little notes, that won't trouble you.'

'Oh, we will see about that,' returned Audrey, smiling. She was touched
by this thoughtfulness; it was so like Mollie's sweet unselfishness: she
never did seem to think of herself. 'You have no idea how quickly the
time will pass. Think of all the things you have promised to do for me!'
for Audrey had already made all sorts of nice little plans for her
favourite. Mollie was to have the run of the house and grounds; she was
to bring her mother to sit in the garden every afternoon if she
liked--Mrs. Blake would enjoy it; she was so fond of flowers--and Mollie
could amuse herself with the canoe. Then there was Audrey's piano:
Mollie must promise to practise her scales and exercises on it every
day; and there was a pile of delightfully interesting books set apart
for her use. She must see, too, that her pet bullfinch was not
neglected, and that