ve of the engagement. Will
you be plainer with me than you were on the last occasion when we spoke
on this subject?"

"When was that?" Mrs. Gallilee inquired.

"When you and I were alone for a few minutes, on the morning when I
breakfasted here. You said it was quite natural that Carmina should
have attracted me; but you were careful not to encourage the idea of a
marriage between us. I understood that you disapproved of it--but you
didn't plainly tell me why."

"Can women always give their reason?"

"Yes--when they are women like you."

"Thank you, my dear, for a pretty compliment. I can trust my memory.
I think I hinted at the obvious objections to an engagement. You and
Carmina are cousins; and you belong to different religious communities.
I may add that a man with your brilliant prospects has, in my opinion,
no reason to marry unless his wife is in a position to increase his
influence and celebrity. I had looked forward to seeing my clever son
rise more nearly to a level with persons of rank, who are members of our
family. There is my confession, Ovid. If I did hesitate on the occasion
to which you have referred, I have now, I think, told you why."

"Am I to understand that you hesitate still?" Ovid asked.

"No." With that brief reply she rose to put away her book.

Ovid followed her to the bookcase. "Has Carmina conquered you?" he said.

She put her book back in its place. "Carmina has conquered me," she
answered.

"You say it coldly."

"What does that matter, if I say it truly?"

The struggle in him between hope and fear burst its way out. "Oh,
mother, no words can tell you how fond I am of Carmina! For God's sake
take care of her, and be kind to her!"

"For _your_ sake," said Mrs. Gallilee, gently correcting the language of
her excitable son, from her own protoplastic point of view. "You do me
an injustice if you feel anxious about Carmina, when you leave her here.
My dead brother's child, is _my_ child. You may be sure of that." She
took his hand, and drew him to her, and kissed his forehead with dignity
and deliberation. If Mr. Mool had been present, during the registration
of that solemn pledge, he would have been irresistibly reminded of the
other ceremony, which is called signing a deed.

"Have you any instructions to give me?" Mrs. Gallilee proceeded. "For
instance, do you object to my taking Carmina to parties? I mean, of
course, parties which will improve her mind."

He fell sadly belo