"I could scarcely believe Will, when he wrote me of your good fortune, you know, the children and I were at Muskoka."
"Yes, I knew you would be glad. I bought this pretty little place the week you left, it seemed after years of waiting, my money (what is left of it) all came right in a day; you do not know how glad I am to at last see you in a home of my own—and in a chair pretty enough to become you, dear," she added more brightly.
"Oh, you always make the most of small kindnesses shown you, we were only too glad to have you."
"Be that as it may, I shall always remember the bright hours with yourselves in the dark days of my life," she said, warmly.
"When did you see Charlie?" asked Mrs. Smyth, in an undertone, for there are other ears.
"This afternoon."
"This afternoon!"
"Yes; and you will be surprised to learn he takes the rail for the seaboard to-night."
"To-night! Why, and whither, it must be a sudden move, for he was up for a smoke with Will the other night and said nothing of it; but," she added, laughingly, "he prefers a lady confidant when it's Mrs. Gower.
"Don't you think, Lilian, that the opposite sex is usually chosen to lend an ear?" she said, carelessly, to conceal a feeling of sadness at the out-going of her friend; for she is aware that the old friendly intercourse is broken, now that he has gone to his wedding.