"Certainly, with this knowledge, as a friend of Miss Tretherick I must say that her conduct is as judicious as it is honorable to her," responded Mr.Robinson.

"I shall not presume to question the wishes, or throw any obstacles in the way of carrying out the intentions, of my dead husband," added Mrs.Tretherick; and the interview was closed.
When its result was made known to Mrs.Starbottle, she raised Jack's hand to her feverish lips.

"It cannot add to MY happiness now, Jack; but tell me, why did you keep it from her ?" Jack smiled, but did not reply.
Within the next week the necessary legal formalities were concluded, and Carry was restored to her stepmother.

At Mrs.Starbottle's request, a small house in the outskirts of the town was procured; and thither they removed to wait the spring, and Mrs.Starbottle's convalescence.

Both came tardily that year.
Yet she was happy and patient.