"I know that," I said. "I have seen her; she told me what she did, and I treated her as I would treat a boy who had brushed my coat, but I shall make amends."
"Indeed you shall," said Sylvia, "and I will go with you when you do it."
"But you must not set yourself aside in this way," said I, addressing the older lady, "it was you who fanned my hopes of winning Sylvia when there seemed no reason why they should not fade away. It was you who promised to help me, and who did help me."
"Did you do that, Marcia?" asked Sylvia.
The beautiful woman who had been Mother Anastasia flushed a little, as she answered:—
"Yes, dear, but then you were only a sister on probation."
"And you wanted me to marry him?"
The other smiled and nodded, and in the next moment Sylvia's arms were about her neck, and Sylvia's lips were on her cheek.
I was very much affected, and there is no knowing how my feelings and gratitude might have been evinced, had not the clumping of a trunk upon the stairs and the voices of sisters at the door called me to order.