After All.

care and attention in every way as if it had been ; Olivia , for her part , was deli ghted . The child grew to be pretty and loving , and was a source of consolation to Mrs . Phane , who received the reward of her kind action in its playful little habits and gentle actions . A strange sobriet y seemed to control its funniest moods , and many a time had Manville Villa rung with the echoes of hearty laughter from its inmates at tho drolleries of DorothHope ( for so had

y they named her ) . It was now about five years old , ancl seemed very happy ; indeed , it relieved the house of much of its melancholy . Mr . Phane was becoming careworn , the business did not seem to prosper as formerly , and his face now often appeared to wear an anxious look . So he , too , blessed Dorothy , the outcast , for many a half-hour ' s laughter . He loved to find her some new mischief in the absence

of others , and then he would enjoy their consternation on returning . Not malicious but merel y playful work . So Dolly had a happy time of it . Somehow the little queen of the household ( for she ruled everything now ) never cared for Mr . Merrisslope , ancl he was not fond other in return . Perchance , that was the

reason . She always left Olivia ( if with her ) when he came , and fled to her adopted mother . Merrisslope ' s soul and sympathy were above children . He could give a clog a patronising pat , but children were tiresome little things . If he did entertain them he was too rough for their delicate natures . Now Humberton , fortunately , loved children , ancl was loved by . them in return . He always hacl something to give or show to one , ancl never failed to rouse its curiosity anclconsequentlyto please it . Thereforewhen he now

, , , visited frequently at Manville Villa , Dolly was always glad to see him , ancl rushed to him almost before anybody , ancl he helped very extensively to spoil her by bringing nuts , oranges , toys—always something every time he came . Perhaps these , too , were to beguile it away while he whispered love to Olivia ! They were learning to know one another better , ancl each seemed perfection to the other . It was heaven to know that after three years of yearningof toiling and

, anxiety , all mistakes were at last cleared up , ancl they could now express their affection for each other ancl hold sweet communion , soul with soul . Oh ! what happy clays ! ancl surely they deserved them . Never had two lovers been so mutually happy ; they were one in wish ancl thought , ancl each strove to please the other . They had now obtained their reward . How long would it last ?

Of course Olivia had sent to inquire after Merrisslope , and expressed hei : sorrow for his accident , for she had really been the cause of it . He had sustained an ordinary fracture , ancl would graduall y recover . Miss Cumberland had decided to take the veil ; tired of the world ancl its delusions , she was deaf to her friends' persuasions against it . Redtaper slowly recovered , but was moody ancl sullen , pondering how he could prevent her latest determination .

Humberton was frequentl y asked to perform his opera again , but he replied that he could not , ancl at last an enterprising manager bought the copyright for £ 180 . Thus he was again fortunate , and everything now seemed to favour his marriage with his loved one . One night he had brought the engaging-ring with him , ancl a little play thing for Dolly . But Dolldid not require the laythingshe wanted to talk

y p , and play with them . Indeed , it seemed as if she knew the night to be an important one , and wished to act up to the occasion . Anyhow , in the prettiest of ways , before Mr . and Mrs . Phane and a stranger , and to the embarrassment of the two lovers , the bonnie little creature climbed behind them , ancl gently pushing their faces together , said , " Kiss , do kiss ! " ancl how could they resist ?