“It was Alec’s room,” Mrs. Royal remarked, as she placed the lamp upon the dressing-table.  “He was fond of all those things,” and she motioned to the walls lined with books, fishing-rods, rifle, banners, snow-shoes, and pictures.  “I have aired the bed, and made it up every week since he went away.  I know it will seem childish and foolish to you.  But, oh——­” she suddenly paused and sat down upon a chair by the side of the bed.  “You little realise how much he meant to us.  He was our only child, and his memory is very dear.”

“I know it,” Miss Royanna replied, dropping upon her knees, and throwing her arms around Mrs. Royal’s neck.  “I think I understand how much you have suffered during all of these years.  But is it right for a stranger to occupy this room?  Could I not sleep on the sofa downstairs?  I would be quite comfortable there.”

“No, no.  You must stay here.  I could never before bear the thought of any one sleeping in this room.  But with you it is so different.  You seem to me like my own daughter, and that you have a right here which no one else ever had.  I cannot understand the feeling.”

“May I be your daughter, then?” the younger woman eagerly asked, as she caught Mrs. Royal’s hands in her own hot ones.  “It will make my heart so happy to be able to call you mother, and to feel that this is my home.”

In reply, Mrs. Royal kissed the fair face so close to hers, and gave a loving pressure to the firm white hands.  For some time they remained in this position, unheeding the storm which was still raging outside.  Tears were in their eyes, but a new-found joy had entered their hearts, which made that chamber of sacred memories a more hallowed spot than ever.

When at last alone, and with the door closed, the singer stood as if spellbound.  Could it be possible, she asked herself, that this was his room, just as he had left it years before?  The memory of the past rose suddenly and vividly to her mind.  She saw again his straight manly figure, with the light of love in his eyes, as he kissed her and bade her good-bye on the morning of that fateful day years ago.  She recalled his words of cheer and comfort as he told her how he would win in the battle of life, and make a home for her and their little one.  Then came the terrible news, followed by the fearful days and weeks of struggle in her effort to earn a living as she carried her boy from place to place.  The memory was more than she could endure.  Sinking upon a chair, she buried her face in her hands and wept as she had not wept in years.  Outside the storm rolled away, and the moon rose big and bright.  The house was very still, but within her room Anna Royanna sat alone through the long watches of the night.  How could she sleep in such a place, with so many conflicting emotions agitating her heart and mind?

Mr. and Mrs. Royal both noticed that their guest was very pale when she came down to breakfast.