“Mr. Seymour, I cannot tell you how much I thank you.”

She almost flew home, and then dismissing the nurse, acted in a most extraordinary manner.  She danced about the room with baby, nearly squeezing the breath out of her, and laughed and cried by turns; then she did some tender serious thinking How had the clouds of the morning turned into sunshine!  She recognized the hand of the dear Lord in it all; these suggestions and plans were given by him.  His loving kindness was over her; she would never doubt it more.  When her husband returned at evening she tried to banish from her tell-tale face all traces of exultation.  This was her secret; he could not know it yet.  So poorly did she succeed that he was happily surprised by finding her cheerful, instead of sad; and yet, inconsistent mortal, he began to feel slightly annoyed that she seemed to be taking the prospective separation so coolly.

“How soon can you be ready to go?” he asked in the course of the evening.

That roll of bills in Faith’s pocket made her eyes dance with glee, as she answered: 

“Oh, in about a fortnight; but let us not talk about that to-night, let me read you this exquisite little bit I found to-day.”

“Women are queer,” soliloquized Frank.  “I don’t believe Faith is going to feel our first separation as much as I shall myself.”

Faith studied the daily newspapers diligently for a few days.  “To Rent” was always the subject.

“I do believe I have found the right thing at last,” she announced to baby one day, and she read aloud:  “To rent at Maplewood, a cottage of four rooms, convenient to street and steam cars, pleasantly located, rent low.”  Another hurried consultation with the paper disclosed the fact that a train for Maplewood left in an hour.  Baby was put to sleep to a hurried tune, and Faith had just time enough to reach the train.  Maplewood proved to be a pretty little suburb four miles out; it was rather new, so that it seemed quite like being in the country.  Green fields and hills stretched away on either side, and the one broad, quiet avenue was shaded with maples, grand old forest trees.  It looked like Paradise to Faith.  She soon found the cottage, a lovely nest of white and green glimmering through the trees, the smooth lawn gay with daffodils and crocuses.  Vines clambered over the porch, and the sweet breath of lilies and violets distilled subtle perfume on the spring air.  She stood on the porch almost afraid to ring, lest she should hear that the house was rented yesterday; but no, it was to be had, and the nice old lady who owned it wanted to rent it, and take up her abode with her daughter, was just as much delighted as Faith.  So eager and enthusiastic a tenant was not found every day.  The four pretty rooms—­parlours, bedroom, dining-room, and kitchen—­exactly suited; a bargain was soon concluded, and Faith on a homeward train, congratulating herself on the success of a part of her plan.