The arrival of the train brought their pleasant conversation to a close, and for a day or two Maggie’s time was wholly occupied with her grandmother, to whom she frankly acknowledged having told Mr. Carrollton of Mrs. Douglas and her daughter Betsy Jane.  The fact that he knew of her disgrace and did not despise her was of great benefit to Madam Conway, and after a few days she resumed her usual spirits, and actually told of the remarks made by Mrs. Douglas concerning herself and the “fight” she had been in!  As time passed on she became reconciled to the Douglases, having, as she thought, some well-founded reasons for believing that for Theo’s disgrace Maggie would make amends by marrying Mr. Carrollton, whose attentions each day became more and more marked, and were not apparently altogether disagreeable to Maggie.  On the contrary, his presence at Hillsdale was productive of much pleasure to her, as well as a little annoyance.

From the first he seemed to exercise over her an influence she could not well resist—­a power to make her do whatever he willed that she should do; and though she sometimes rebelled she was pretty sure in the end to yield the contest, and submit to one who was evidently the ruling spirit.  As yet nothing had been said of the hair ornament which, out of compliment to him, her grandmother wore every morning in her collar, but at last one day Madam Conway spoke of it herself, asking if it were, as she had supposed, his grandmother’s hair.

“Why, no,” he answered involuntarily; “it is a lock Maggie sent me in that wonderful daguerreotype!”

“The stupid thing!” thought Maggie, while her eyes fairly danced with merriment as she anticipated the question she fancied was sure to follow, but did not.

One glance at her tell-tale face was sufficient for Madam Conway.  In her whole household there was but one head with locks as white as that, and whatever her thoughts might have been, she said nothing, but from that day forth Hagar’s hair was never again seen ornamenting her person!  That afternoon Mr. Carrollton and Maggie went out to ride, and in the course of their conversation he referred to the pin, asking whose hair it was, and seeming much amused when told that it was Hagar’s.

“But why did you not tell her when it first came?” he said; and Maggie answered:  “Oh, it was such fun to see her sporting Hagar’s hair, when she is so proud!  It didn’t hurt her either, for Hagar is as good as anybody.  I don’t believe in making such a difference because one person chances to be richer than another.”

“Neither do I,” returned Mr. Carrollton.  “I would not esteem a person for wealth alone, but there are points of difference which should receive consideration.  For instance, this old Hagar may be well enough in her way, but suppose she were nearly connected with you—­your grandmother, if you like—­it would certainly make some difference in your position.  You would not be Maggie Miller, and I—­”