On gaining the summer-house, the first object that met her eyes was a folded letter, lying upon the marble table.

To spring forward and seize it was the work of an instant.

It bore her own name, and in the now familiar hand of Lee Lyon! A strong agitation seized upon the frame of the young girl, as she caught up the unexpected letter.

It was some moments before her trembling fingers could break the seal and unfold the missive.

Then her eyes drank in, eagerly, its contents: "MY EVER DEAR FANNY:--Since our meeting at the fountain, I cannot say to you all that I would say in any letter under care to your father, and so I entrust this to a faithful messenger, who will see that it reaches your hands.