But there is one person to whom you truly ought to be
grateful--Miss Laniston."
"I know that," I said. "I have seen her; she told me what she did, and I
treated her as I would treat a boy who had brushed my coat, but I shall
make amends."
"Indeed you shall," said Sylvia, "and I will go with you when you do
it."
"But you must not set yourself aside in this way," said I, addressing
the older lady, "it was you who fanned my hopes of winning Sylvia when
there seemed no reason why they should not fade away. It was you who
promised to help me, and who did help me."
"Did you do that, Marcia?" asked Sylvia.
The beautiful woman who had been Mother Anastasia flushed a little, as
she answered:--
"Yes, dear, but then you were only a sister on probation."
"And you wanted me to marry him?"
The other smiled and nodded, and in the next moment Sylvia's arms were
about her neck, and Sylvia's lips were on her cheek.
I was very much affected, and there is no knowing how my feelings and
gratitude might have been evinced, had not the clumping of a trunk upon
the stairs and the voices of sisters at the door called me to order.
XLIX.
MY OWN WAY.
When I went home to my grandmother, she was greatly surprised to see me,
and I lost no time in explaining my unexpected appearance.
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