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 and talked over their plan of action. For not withstanding her loyalty to Philip, Mrs. Harden was too thoroughly feminine a woman not to take delight in helping a love affair along over the proverbially rough course.

"I will see the General myself," Mrs. Harden finally said, after they had discussed the very simple matter at the greatest length, looking at it from all possible, probable, and impossible points of view. "Of course he will give in; there 's nothing else for him to do. You won't give Robert up? No? Quite sure?"

"Never!" said Margaret solemnly.

"And the young man himself, will he be equally steadfast?"

"Can you doubt him?"

"Of course I can, my dear, because I always doubt everybody,—lovers in especial; but the question is, can you doubt him?"

"I could more easily doubt myself."

"You are deliciously in love, Margaret, and I will try to forgive you for loving the wrong man; though how you could—well, no matter! Don't be angry; leave your papa to Darius and me, we will fix him between us."

"Mr. Harden—why, why Mr. Harden, what good can he do?"

"A man 's a great support in times like these, Margaret, they really are. They put the other