“I thought we were dear friends?  Why can we not be such?”

At this moment Mrs. Murray came into the dining-room, and as she looked at the two sitting there in the early sunshine, with the basket of flowers between them; as she marked the heightened color and embarrassed expression on one fair, sweet face, and the eager pleading written on the other, so full of manly beauty, so frank and bright and genial, a possible destiny for both flashed before her; and pleased surprise warmed her own countenance as she hurried forward.

“Good-morning, Gordon.  I am very glad to see you.  How is Clara?”

“Quite well, thank you, and entirely absorbed in preparations for her party, as you will infer from this note, which she charged me to deliver in person, and for which I here pray your most favorable consideration.”

As Mrs. Murray glanced over the note Edna turned to leave the room; but Mr. Leigh exclaimed: 

“Do not go just yet, I wish Mrs. Murray to decide a matter for me.”

“Well, Gordon, what is it?”

“First, do you grant my sister’s petition?”

“Certainly, I will bring Edna with me to-night, unless she prefers staying at home with her books.  You know I let her do pretty much as she pleases.”

“Now then for my little quarrel!  Here is a curious old ring, which she will appreciate more highly than any one else whom I happen to know, and I want her to accept it as a birthday memento from me, but a few minutes ago she refused to wear it.  Can you not come to my assistance, my dear Mrs. Murray?”

She took the ring, examined it, and said, after a pause: 

“I think, Gordon, that she did exactly right; but I also think that now, with my approval and advice, she need not hesitate to wear it henceforth, as a token of your friendship.  Edna, hold out your hand, my dear.”

The ring was slipped on the slender finger, and as she released her hand, Mrs. Murray bent down and kissed her forehead.

“Seventeen to-day!  My child, I can scarcely believe it!  And you—­ Gordon?  May I ask how old you are?”

“Twenty-five—­I grieve to say!  You need not tell me—­”

The conversation was interrupted by the ringing of the breakfast bell, and soon after, Mr. Leigh took his departure.

Edna felt puzzled and annoyed, and as she looked down at the ring she thought that instead of “Peace be with thee,” the Semitic characters must surely mean, “Disquiet seize thee!” for they had shivered the beautiful calm of her girlish nature, and thrust into her mind ideas unknown until that day.  Going to her own room, she opened her books, but ere she could fix her wandering thoughts Mrs. Murray entered.

“Edna, I came to speak to you about your dress for to-night.”

“Please do not say that you wish me to go, my dear Mrs. Murray, for I dread the very thought.”