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 after all. It's too amusing." She went out, laughing, almost before Austin had roused himself enough to open the door for her.

He drew a long breath. "I hope there won't be any more like that—so early in the morning," he thought; and as if in answer to his wish, a stout, comfortable old lady was ushered in—an old lady with a tendency to chuckle, particularly at her own jokes.

"I've just come to wish you good luck," she said. "I knew your aunt well. Dear Sophy. I'm glad she left the school to you and not to Miss Hayes—"

"Miss Hayes!" cried Austin, to whom this was a new idea.

"Yes, that was her plan. She thought you were too young, Mr. Bevans, and if you won't mind my saying it—too handsome. I couldn't see that youth and beauty ever were a disadvantage to any one, but Sophy thought the girls would be sentimental about you. Well, they're bound to be sentimental about some one, for it's their nature. Better their schoolmaster than a second-rate actor. My Mabel remembers every word you say. She never remembered anything Sophy said. Oh, you'll lose some pupils. That Mrs. McLane is on her way over now to remove her girl. She says it's improper, but she