As plainly as on a written page held in his hand, Stephen White read the successive phases of thought and struggle which passed through Mercy's mind for the next five minutes; and he was not in the least surprised when, turning suddenly towards him with a very sweet smile, she said in a resolute tone,-- "There! that's done with.

I hope you will forgive my rudeness, Mr.White; but the truth is I was awfully shocked at the first sight of the house.

It isn't your house, you know, so it isn't quite so bad for me to say so; and I'm so glad you hate it as much as I do.

Now I am never going to think about it again,--never." "Why, can you help it, Mrs.Philbrick ?" asked Stephen, in a wondering tone.

"I can't.