er the true state of the case.
Truly, under Providence, she had cause to bless the Professor's "dear
absent-minded ways."

As she took pen and paper to reply to his letter, her heart felt very
warm toward her old friend. She gave him full credit for the effort
with which he had done what he had been led to consider was the right
thing toward her.

"MY DEAR PROFESSOR" (she wrote),--"I rejoice to hear of your good
fortune. It is well indeed when the great thinkers of the world are
rendered independent of all anxious taking of thought as to what they
shall eat, or what they shall drink, or wherewithal they shall be
clothed. I like to think of you, my friend, as now set completely free
from all mundane cares; able to give your undivided attention to the
work you love.

"I appreciate, more than I can say, the kind proposition concerning
myself, which you make in your letter. I owe it to our friendship to
tell you quite frankly that I feel, and have long felt, how great an
honour it would be for any woman to be in a position so to administer
your household as to set you completely free for your great
intellectual pursuits.

"But marriage would mean more than this, and our long friendship
emboldens me to say that I should grieve to see you--owing perhaps to
pressure or advice from others--burden your life with family ties for
which you surely do not yourself feel any special inclination.

"And, now, my friend, I must not close my letter without telling you
how great a happiness has come into my lonely life. I am about to
marry a man whom--" Miss Charteris paused, and looked through the open
window to the softly moving leaves of the old mulberry-tree. A gleam
of amusement shone in her eyes, curving her lips into a tender smile.
The Boy seemed beside her, slapping his knee and rocking with merriment
at the way she was about to bewilder Miss Ann and the Professor--"a man
whom I have known and loved for over twenty years.

"I am sure you will wish me joy, dear Professor.

"Believe me, always,
"Gratefully and affectionately yours,
"CHRISTOBEL CHARTERIS."

She rang the bell, and sent the answer to the Professor's letter, by
Jenkins. She could not wait for the slow medium of the post. She
could not let him remain another hour in the belief that, in order to
save her from disappointment, he was compelled to marry Christobel
Charteris.

She stood at the breakfast-room window, and watched Jenkins as he
hu