"I have never exactly understood how you came to be so wise on this subject, Charlotte," Mr. Landor said, making her sit beside him.
"You know you never could keep anything to yourself, Francis," Miss Carpenter remarked reproachfully.
Charlotte looked mischievous. "The beginning of it was when I found those verses about the rose that was out of reach, and you were so provoked I thought they must mean something. Then Aunt Cora said--"
"Never mind Aunt Cora," Francis said, laughing; "this will do."
"I agree with you," remarked Marion.
"Charlotte, Miss Virginia is standing at the door. I know she is distracted over your absence," said Norah, entering.
"She knows I am here, but I mustn"t stay," she rose regretfully.
Francis accompanied her. "And so you think your Miss Carpenter is lovelier than mine?" he remarked, as they crossed the street.
"Well, at least she is just as lovely," Charlotte answered blithely.
The news spread quickly. The Terrace was stirred to its depths. Life within its quiet borders was becoming exciting. The announcement of Madelaine"s engagement with all the splendors in prospect would have sufficed for one season, but even this was eclipsed by the romance of the shop,--so named by Mrs. Leigh.
"Look like I already knowed Miss Marion was a rich lady," Aunt Belle was heard to declare. "Yes"m, she done carry her haid so proud-like."
In the shop many a serious conference was held by Marion, Norah, and Alexina, and at length Miss Sarah was called in. As a result, another surprise was sprung upon the Terrace. The corner shop was to be given up--Norah could not live there alone--and a new one opened in the s.p.a.cious drawing-rooms of the Leigh house. Here there would be room to expand, Norah would have a home, and Miss Sarah would be freed from the necessity of boarders. There were those who held moreover that by this arrangement the enterprise acquired a new dignity. The idea originated with Mrs. Millard, who, while she did not give the shop her full approval, from henceforth withdrew all opposition.
Old Mrs. Leigh was heard to remark that she had in her life done many things she had not expected to do, but living over a shop was about the last.
"I suppose you"ll agree it is better than the poorhouse, or even boarders," said her niece.
"Better? I am as proud of it as I can be," the old lady replied, and proud of it she seemed.
Norah called her their advertising agent. Her acquaintance was extensive, and at church or on the street, wherever she happened to be, she waylaid her friends and gave them a cordial invitation to visit _our_ shop. On more than one occasion she const.i.tuted herself hostess. Recognizing from her window a familiar carriage, she would descend, dainty and bright-eyed, to enjoy a social chat, which would sometimes result in her holding a reception, for everybody enjoyed her merry talk, and she was quickly made the centre of an interested group.
Miss Sarah was inclined to interfere, but Norah and Alex protested.
They liked to have her. She was an added attraction. But all this was afterward.
It was on the last evening, as they walked arm in arm around the dismantled shop, that Marion said: "I am selfish about it, but I could not have endured to go away and have you go on without me in this dear little place where we have been so happy. How wonderfully everything has worked out! and it was all your doing."
"I don"t know; I think we owe a great deal to our friend the rich Miss Carpenter." There was a mist in Norah"s eyes, but she smiled.