he saw the pallid,
frightened child that scarcely dared to look deprecatingly at the
handsome young collegian. She saw again the kind yet mirthful eyes
that beamed encouragingly upon her. She remembered that in the
unworthy past they had ever looked upon her with a large, gentle,
affectionate tolerance, and she now took chiefly upon herself the
blame for those years of weakness. Her present radiant health and
beauty proved how unnecessary they had been, and her heart sometimes
sunk at the thought of what they might cost her.

Mary had accompanied her to her room, and was asked, in a careless
tone, what had become of Miss Wildmere.

"I was told incidentally the other day that she was as great a belle
as ever. I had hoped that she would be out of Graydon's way before
this time. I have heard, however, that great belles are often slower
in marrying than the homeliest girls. If all is true that is said,
this Miss Wildmere has made mischief enough; but I am not anxious that
our Graydon should cut short her career--that is, if marriage would
cut it short. I imagine she will always be a gay society woman. Well,
Madge, I suppose you must make up your mind to be a belle yourself.
Why don't you cut out this 'speculator,' as my husband calls her? If
Graydon had my eyes it wouldn't be a difficult task."

"Graydon hasn't your eyes or mine either," was the brusque reply. "I
propose to use my own. They may see some one that I have never met.
One thing at least is certain--I don't intend to cut out Miss Wildmere
or any one else. The man who wins me will have to do the seeking most
emphatically; and I warn you beforehand, sister mine, that you must
never let the idea of matchmaking enter your head. Since I have been
away I have developed more will of my own than muscle. There is no
necessity for me ever to marry, and if I do it will be because I wish
to, not because any one else wants me to. Nothing would set me
against a man more certainly than to see that he had allies who were
manoeuvring in his behalf;" and she concluded with a kiss that robbed
her words of a point too sharp, perhaps, for her sister's feelings.
She knew Mrs. Muir's peculiarities well enough, however, to believe
that such words were needed, and she had intended to speak them in
some form at the earliest opportunity. Therefore she was glad that she
could utter the warning so early and naturally in their new relations.
Nor was it uncalled for, since the thought of br