“For the present, I must.”
“And you are quite happy?”
“If Maggie and Mr Hammond will only marry one another, I shall be one of the happiest girls in the world.”
There came a knock at Miss Heath’s door. Priscilla flew to open it.
“Prissie, darling!” said Maggie Oliphant’s voice. She flung her arms round the young girl’s neck, and kissed her several times.
“It’s all right, Priscilla,” said Hammond.
Miss Heath made a step or two forward.
“Come and tell Miss Heath,” said Prissie. “Miss Heath, here is Maggie! Here is dear Maggie and here is Mr Hammond, and it is all right.” Tears of gladness filled Priscilla’s eyes. She went up to Hammond, took one of his hands in both her own, and said, in a voice of rapture, “I did help you to-night, didn’t I? You know I said I would do anything in the world for you.”
“You have done everything for me, Priscilla,” replied Hammond. “I shall bless you while I live.”
Maggie Oliphant’s arms were round Miss Heath’s neck; her head rested against her breast. “We have come straight to you,” she said; “you told me that if—if such an occasion came, you would act as a mother to me.”