Olivia had verified Aunt Madge"s words. She had grown a little stouter and more matronly, and had become a fine-looking woman, but the eyes were as frank and kindly as ever, and one only needed to look at her to find out that she was thoroughly in harmony with her environment.
And Madge Broderick was happy, although the years of her widowhood and banishment stretched out indefinitely.
"You will make an old woman yet," Dr. Randolph often told her, but she had ceased to wince when he said it as though a cold hand had struck her.
And year by year a deep peacefulness steals over the dear face, and the ring of cheerfulness in the full, mellow voice grows stronger. "I have two lovely homes, Livy," she would say. "One here with you and Marcus and the darling children, and one in the "many mansions," where Fergus and baby boy wait for me." And as she said this a radiant smile would light her features like sunshine.