"I will, mother."

"No, no, dear; you have not time;" and then Aaron Dunn was in the
room.

She had thought much what she would say to him, but had not yet
quite made up her mind. It mattered however but very little. On
whatever she might have resolved, her resolution would have vanished
to the wind. Aaron Dunn came into the room, and in one second she
found herself in the centre of a whirlwind, and his arms were the
storms that enveloped her on every side.

"My own, own darling girl," he said over and over again, as he
pressed her to his heart, quite regardless of Mrs. Bell, who stood
by, sobbing with joy. "My own Susan."

"Aaron, dear Aaron," she whispered. But she had already recognised
the fact that for the present meeting a passive part would become
her well, and save her a deal of trouble. She had her lover there
quite safe, safe beyond anything that Mr. or Mrs. Beckard might have
to say to the contrary. She was quite happy; only that there were
symptoms now and again that the whirlwind was about to engulf her
yet once more.

"Dear Aaron, I am so glad you are come," said the innocent-minded
widow, as she went up stairs with him, to show him his room; and
then he embraced her also. "Dear, dear mother," he said.

On the next day there was, as a matter of course, a family conclave.
Hetta and Phineas came down, and discussed the whole subject of the