How unconsciously she had dropped into the term of endearment with this young girl.  It was so much a part of her nature to do so.  Peggy’s cheeks became rose-tinted with pleasure, and her eyes alight with happiness.  Her smile was radiant as she slipped to Mrs. Harold’s side saying:  “Oh, if Compadre were only here to decide it right away.  He is my guardian you know, and, of course, I must do as he wishes, but I hope—­oh I hope, he will let me do this.”

“And what is it you so wish to do, Filiola?” asked a gentle voice within the room.

Peggy gave a little cry of delight.

“Oh, Compadre, when did you come?  We have just been talking about you,” cried Peggy, flitting to the side of the tall, handsome old gentleman and slipping her arm about him as his encircled her shoulder, and he looked down upon her with a pair of benign dark eyes as he answered: 

“I have been luxuriating and feasting for the past half hour while waiting for a truant ward.  Jerome took pity upon me and fed me to keep me in a good temper.

“Oh, Compadre, I want you to know my new friend, Mrs. Harold and her niece, Polly Howland.  We have been having the loveliest visit together.”

Dr. Llewellyn advanced to meet the guests, one arm still encircling his ward, the other extended to take Mrs. Harold’s hand as he said: 

“This is a great pleasure, madam.  To judge by my little girl’s face she has found a congenial companion.  I am more than delighted to meet both aunt and niece.”

“And we are almost the same age!  Isn’t that lovely!” cried Polly.

Dr. Llewellyn exchanged a significant glance with Mrs. Harold, then asked: 

“Have you imparted your peculiar power to your niece, Mrs. Harold?”

Mrs. Harold looked mystified.  “I am afraid I don’t quite understand,” she smiled.

“Your chaplain at the Academy is an old friend of mine.  We occasionally hobnob over the chess board and a modest glass of wine.  I hear of things beyond Round Bay and Severndale; I am interested in that gathering of young men in the Academy and often ask questions.  The chaplain is deeply concerned for their welfare and has told me many things, among others something of a certain lady to whom they are devoted and who has a remarkable influence over them.  It has interested me, too, for they are at the most impressionable, susceptible period of their lives and a wise influence can do much for them.  I am glad to meet ’The Little Mother of Middies’ Haven.’”

Dr. Llewellyn’s eyes twinkled as he spoke.  Mrs. Harold blushed like a girl as she asked: 

“Have my sins found me out?”

“It is a pity we could not find all ‘sins’ as salutary.  I may be a retired old clergyman, with no greater responsibilities upon my shoulders than keeping one unruly little girl within bounds,” he added, giving a tweak to Peggy’s curls, “and looking after her father’s estate—­ I tutored him when he was a lad—­but I hear echoes of the doings of the outer world now and again.  Yes—­yes, now and again, and when they are cheering echoes I rejoice greatly.  But let us be seated and hear the wonderful news which will cause an explosion presently unless the safety-valves are opened,” he concluded, placing chairs for Mrs. Harold and Polly with courtly grace.