"You wish me well?"

"With all my heart."

"I'd like"--Huntter turned his face toward the window and the glorious
winter day--"I'd like to be worthy of every well-wisher. I feel quite the
good boy this morning. I've been--well, I've been rather up against it, I
fear, and a trial to you, for all that you say to the contrary; but I am
going to make amends to you--and the world! Now, when my friend comes,
you won't mind if I ask you to leave us alone for a few moments? I can
call you when I need you."

"Yes, Mr. Huntter."

"The lady is--you may have guessed--my fiancée. I have important things
to say to her, and----"

Priscilla's heart beat madly. She felt she was near a deeper tragedy than
any that had ever entered her life. And just then, as the clock struck
the half hour, came a tap on the door:

"Come!" cried Huntter, in a tone of joy; "Come!" And in burst Margaret
Moffatt!

She did not notice the rigid figure by the bowl of flowers; her radiant
face was fixed upon Huntter, and she ran toward him with outstretched
arms.

"My beloved!" she whispered. "Oh! my dear, my dear! How ill you have
been! They did not tell me. I shall never forgive them. When did you