"Pardon my being so horrid.

But by all you hold sacred ?" Mrs.Assingham faced her.

"Ah, my dear, upon my positive word as an honest woman." "Thank-you then," said the Princess.
So they remained a little; after which, "But do you believe it, love ?" Fanny inquired.
"I believe YOU." "Well, as I've faith in THEM, it comes to the same thing." Maggie, at this last, appeared for a moment to think again; but she embraced the proposition.

"The same thing." "Then you're no longer unhappy ?" her guest urged, coming more gaily toward her.
"I doubtless shan't be a great while." But it was now Mrs.Assingham's turn to want more.

"I've convinced you it's impossible ?" She had held out her arms, and Maggie, after a moment, meeting her, threw herself into them with a sound that had its oddity as a sign of relief.