that sister's face, as if it were the face of some bright angel.
Calm, serene, and cheerful, the face looked back on her and on her
lover.

'And when the time comes, as it must one day,' said Alfred, - 'I
wonder it has never come yet, but Grace knows best, for Grace is
always right - when SHE will want a friend to open her whole heart
to, and to be to her something of what she has been to us - then,
Marion, how faithful we will prove, and what delight to us to know
that she, our dear good sister, loves and is loved again, as we
would have her!'

Still the younger sister looked into her eyes, and turned not -
even towards him. And still those honest eyes looked back, so
calm, serene, and cheerful, on herself and on her lover.

'And when all that is past, and we are old, and living (as we
must!) together - close together - talking often of old times,'
said Alfred - 'these shall be our favourite times among them - this
day most of all; and, telling each other what we thought and felt,
and hoped and feared at parting; and how we couldn't bear to say
good bye - '

'Coach coming through the wood!' cried Britain.

'Yes! I am ready - and how we met again, so happily in spite of
all; we'll make this day the happiest in all the year, and keep it
as a treble birth-day. Shall we, dear?'

'Yes!' interposed the elder sister, eagerly, and with a radiant