"Is that so truly ?"

"It is ;" and I told her all about it.

It was a scene for the painter. We were both standing, and while I related the story, her eyes dilated, and her countenance became rigid. Sunshine and shadow flitted across her face. Pain, terror, hope.

"And all this is certain beyond a question-beyond the possibility of a question ?" she asked.

"It is."

She stood a moment, her eyes fixed on vacancy.

"What a wicked wretch I have been all my life," she exclaimed, and rushed out of the room.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE INTERVIEW.

A FEW days served to settle the whole matter. It was too plain for the lawyers to raise any question about. Mr. Littleton himself, one of the most acute of his profession, decided that it was a clear case, and nothing was left but to put the whole matter in proper legal shape. This, too, was soon arranged.

Then it was that Matilda asked me to go with her one morning to see Mrs. Havens. Since the first burst of feeling, she had preserved in every respect her ordinary demeanor. She was perhaps more quiet and thoughtful, yet quite natural.

We walked along together, neither speaking a word. As we mounted the steps of Mrs. Havens' (now Matilda's) house, she said: "You will introduce me." We were ushered in, and presently Mrs. Havens made her appearance. Poor woman, how she had changed since I saw her last, only a few weeks before. I was afraid she was about to give way to another fit of hysterics, but a real trouble had improved her nerves, and she preserved a decent composure. I introduced them to each other and we took seats.

"Mrs. Havens," said Matilda in a subdued tone, which I thought required some effort to make firm; "Mrs. Havens, I have come to ask you a single question. Several years

ago my mother wrote you a letter, and sent it to your house. I have called to ask if you ever received it."

"Never, so help me Heaven, never," replied Mrs. Havens earnestly. "I declare to you I did not know your mother resided in the city, or that she had a daughter living."

"I think I can recall

quite ill, so ill that I My maid brought in a

"I am satisfied," said Matilda, rising to go. "Stay," continued Mrs. Havens. the circumstance. One day I was remained all the morning in bed. letter, and as I was suffering from a severe headache, I bade her open it. She did so, remarking that it was a communication from some poor person, who wished for aid. I asked her if any one was waiting for an answer. She said there was not. I bade her put the letter safely aside, that I might examine it when I felt better. The next day I asked her for it, and she said it had been thrown into the fire by accident. Possibly it was the letter you speak of, but I solemnly declare I did not know from whom it came."

A flashing of the eyes, a swelling of the veins of the forehead, a dilation of the nostrils, a close compression of the lips, while Mrs. Havens was giving an account of the fate of her mother's letter, led me to fear some passionate outbreak on the part of Matilda. But she controlled herself, and only bowed when the former finished.

Turning to leave the room, she said: “Mr. Parkinson will call on you in a few days. I assure you I am much relieved by your explanation."

We walked back to my house as we came-in silence.

"Ir is now my turn to ask that the room be cleared of all idle people, triflers and useless folks. I suppose Alice will come next and demurely ask an interview with " papa," to settle certain little preliminary arrangements about-don't look so frightened, young lady, I am not going to betray you—I only ask at the present moment that the supernumeraries vacate this apartment, and give me an opportunity to talk with the 'head of the family.' Oh! Charley, I beg your pardon; I did not observe you had not finished your coffee. Take your time. We are in no hurry."

The reader doubtless will recognize Matilda in the above speech.

We were speedily alone together.

"Don't you want to know what I am going to do ?” "Yes."

"Let me tell you. In the first place I shall sell the house Mrs. Havens now occupies. I cannot afford such an establishment. She may remain in it till May; will you tell her So ? The furniture I shall not touch, she is at liberty to do what she pleases with it. Tell her that too. Further, I shall set apart two thousand dollars a year for her especial use. Will you communicate all this as kindly as you choose?

I do not think I wish to see her again. We have not a thought or a sympathy in common.

"Now for my plans. I shall purchase a nice house pleasantly situated. It must be commodious and neatly finished. The best room in it is for you. The next Alice and I will draw lots for. We will all have our own apartments, prettily furnished too; there shall be special arrangements for Charley, who is ill sometimes. I know Alice is soon to be married. That will make no difference, for the fellow is here now, all the time he is not at his office. For myself" she stopped an instant, and proceeded with an air of solemnity-" GOD ought to strike me dead if, after complaining of HIм all my life, I dare to do as other rich people do. I shall limit myself to a reasonable sum. No horses, no carriages, no extravagancies. I don't know but I will have a saddle-horse, it has been the dream of my life to possess one; but no ostentation, no display. We will live together happy, as we have lived, and I will begin and try to do some good. Just think what I can do with all this money rolling in every month. I shall not require a quarter of it. I shall try to make some hearts glad, without putting them under an everlasting burning sense of disgrace and dependence.

She walked up and down the room, a good deal excited. I knew she was thinking of her mother.

"Well, what do you say?" she asked, turning and looking at me. "Will you be ready to move?"

"What can I say, my dear child, to such a generous suggestion? But, really, I must not accede to it. You have no idea how inconvenient it will prove for you."