"Not that I am aware of. Major Ashton has been here."
"Then I am glad I was absent," said Grace, hastily.
"He would not have troubled you," said Mrs. Sheldon. "He is not very likely to renew his suit."
"I am glad to hear that," said Grace, somewhat surprised, nevertheless.
"Indeed he is engaged to be married to—another."
"That's news, indeed. Who is it, Aunt Caroline?" asked Grace, with genuine curiosity.
"I hardly know how to tell you," said the widow, in a tone which gave Grace an inkling of the truth, amazing as it was.
"Perhaps he is going to marry you," she said.
"You have guessed it, Grace," said the widow, in graceful confusion.