'Ay, but there is a greater happiness in store. In such another
home, as cheerful and as bright as this looks now,' said Grace,
'Alfred and his young wife will soon be living.'

She smiled again. 'It is a happy home, Grace, in your fancy. I
can see it in your eyes. I know it WILL be happy, dear. How glad
I am to know it.'

'Well,' cried the Doctor, bustling in. 'Here we are, all ready for
Alfred, eh? He can't be here until pretty late - an hour or so
before midnight - so there'll be plenty of time for making merry
before he comes. He'll not find us with the ice unbroken. Pile up
the fire here, Britain! Let it shine upon the holly till it winks
again. It's a world of nonsense, Puss; true lovers and all the
rest of it - all nonsense; but we'll be nonsensical with the rest
of 'em, and give our true lover a mad welcome. Upon my word!' said
the old Doctor, looking at his daughters proudly, 'I'm not clear
to-night, among other absurdities, but that I'm the father of two
handsome girls.'

'All that one of them has ever done, or may do - may do, dearest
father - to cause you pain or grief, forgive her,' said Marion,
'forgive her now, when her heart is full. Say that you forgive
her. That you will forgive her. That she shall always share your
love, and -,' and the rest was not said, for her face was hidden on
the old man's shoulder.

'Tut, tut, tut,' said the Doctor gently. 'Forgive! What have I to
forgive? Heyday, if our true lovers come back to flurry us like