It was Marjorie who was the life of the party, who saw at a glance what every one wanted, who was ready to run here and there for them all; it was Marjorie who carried Carl up to bed; who picked up her mother's ball of wool when it fell, and who kept her eyes open all the time to see what she could do for others, and how she could help them all. How they would miss her! What a blank there would be, if she left them! What a sad change would come over that bright little home when its chief sunbeam was removed from it!
The pleasant evening came to an end at last, and Kenneth rose to take leave. Then, for the first time, he mentioned the object of his visit to Rosthwaite. As he shook hands with Mrs. Douglas, and thanked her for her great kindness to him, he said in a low voice—
"I shall not forget my promise."
She pressed his hand affectionately as she whispered—
"God bless you!" And he knew the words came from her heart.
Then Marjorie ran for the lantern, for there was not a star in the sky, and she insisted on lighting him to the gate.
"Now it really is good-bye," he said; "the road has been cleared, and I am off early to-morrow—Miss Douglas—"
"Yes, Captain Fortescue."
"I have kept my promise to my poor old father as well as I could."
"You have indeed," she said.