you, Nan; I know that."

"I think you quite worthy of me," she answered, softly, and now there
were tears in her eyes.

"Oh, no; no fellow could be that," he replied, decidedly. "I am well
enough in my way, and compared with other men I am not so bad,"
continued Dick, who had a sufficiently good opinion of his own merits,
in spite of the humility of his speech; "but as to coming up to you,
Nan, by a long way, why, the thing is impossible! But I tell you this,
it helps a fellow to keep right and steady when he believes in the
goodness of the girl belonging to him."

"You must not make me vain," she half whispered, and her lips trembled
a little at his praise. But he disregarded this remonstrance, and went
on:

"You have kept me right all my life. How could I ever do a mean or a
shabby action to make you ashamed of me? When I was tempted once or
twice,--for idle young fellows will be tempted,--I used to say to
myself, No, Nan would not approve if she knew it. And I held tight to
this thought, and I am glad now that I can look in your dear face and
tell you this. It makes me feel so happy." And indeed Dick's face was
radiant.

They were almost sorry when the journey was over; they had so much to
say to each other. The wintry landscape was growing gray and
indistinct as they reached their destination, and, though Nan peered
anxiously into the darkness for a glimpse of each well-remembered
spot, she could only just discern the dim outline of Glen Cottage
before the carriage turned in at the gates of Longmead.

Mr. Mayne had determined to pay his intended daughter-in-law all
becoming honors, and as soon as the carriage wheels were heard he had
the hall door thrown back to show the bright, welcoming light, and he
himself descended the flight of steps to the terrace. "Just as though
I were a royal personage," laughed Nan. But she was a little nattered
by the compliment.

Most girls would have felt the awkwardness of the situation, but not
Nan. The moment Dick assisted her out of the carriage she walked up to
his father, and put up her face to be kissed in the most natural way.
"It was so good of you to ask me here; and I am so glad to come," she
said, simply.

"There, there! run in out of the cold," was all his answer; and he
patted her hand a little awkwardly. But, though his voice had its
usual gruffness, his manner was otherwise kind. "How are you, Dick? I
hope Roper did not keep you waiting at the station, for yo