Leaving them to talk over future plans, Quincy went back to the hotel and wrote two letters.  The first was addressed to Lord Algernon Hastings in London.  The other was a brief note to Aunt Ella, informing her that a party of four would start for Boston on the morning train and that she might expect them about four o’clock in the afternoon.

It lacked but five minutes of that hour when a carriage, containing the party from New York, stopped before the Mt.  Vernon Street house.  It suited Quincy’s purpose that his companions should first meet his wife, although the fact that she was his wife was as yet unknown to them.

The meeting between Alice and Linda was friendly, but not effusive.  They had been ordinary acquaintances in the old days at Eastborough, but now a mutual satisfaction and pleasure drew them more closely together.

“I have come,” said Linda, “to thank you, Miss Pettengill, for your kindness and justice to me.  Few women would have disregarded the solemn oath that Mrs. Putnam forced you to take, but by doing so you have given me a lawful name and a life of happiness for the future.  May every blessing that Heaven can send to you be yours.”

“All the credit should not be given to me,” replied Alice.  “The morning after Mrs. Putnam’s death I was undecided in my mind which course to follow, whether to destroy the paper or to keep it.  It was a few words from my Uncle Isaac that enabled me to decide the matter.  He told me that a promise made to the dead should not be carried out if it interfered with the just rights of the living.  So I decided to keep the paper, but how?  It was then that Mr. Sawyer came to the rescue and pointed out to me the line of action, which I am truly happy to learn has ended so pleasantly.”

“Grandpa and I have both thanked Mr. Sawyer so much,” said Linda, “that he will not listen to us any more, but I will write to Uncle Ike, for I used to call him by that name, and show him that I am not ungrateful.  I have lost all my politeness, I am so happy,” continued Linda; “I believe you have met grandpa.”

Sir Stuart came forward, and, in courtly but concise language, expressed his sincere appreciation of the kind service that Miss Pettengill had rendered his granddaughter.

Then Linda introduced Mdme. Archimbault as one who had been a true friend and almost a mother to her in the hours of her deepest sorrow and distress.

“Now, my friends,” said Quincy, “I have a little surprise for you myself.  I believe it my duty to state the situation frankly to you.  My father is a very wealthy man—­a millionaire.  He is proud of his wealth and still more proud of the honored names of Quincy and Adams, which he conferred upon me.  Like all such fathers and mothers, my parents have undoubtedly had bright dreams as to the future of their only son.  One of their dreams has, no doubt, been my marriage to some young lady of honored name and great wealth.  In such a matter, however, my own mind must decide.  I have acted without their knowledge, as I resolved to deprive them of the pleasure of my wife’s acquaintance until Christmas day.”