aw her
in time to save her."

"Beatrice, this is very strange and inexplicable. Where did you see Miss
Hart? I thought she had left Northbury."

"She came back, because she could not stay away. She is at the Bells'. I
saw her there to day, and I brought Loftus to her, and--Rector, they
love each other. Oh, yes, yes--when I see how much they love each other.
I am thankful I am not to be married with only the shadow of such a
reality."

"Then you never gave your heart to this young man?"

"Never! I thought I could help him. But my heart has not even stirred."

"You did not seem unhappy."

"I was not unhappy. It always gives me pleasure to help people. And
Catherine seemed so bright, and Mrs. Bertram so delighted, and Loftus
himself--there was much to win my regard in Loftus. I did not know it
was only my money they wanted."

"Poor child! And yet you are wrong. No one who looks at you, Beatrice,
can only want you for your money."

"Dear Rector, in this case my money was the charm. Well, my money shall
still have power. You are my guardian as well as my trustee. I want you
to help me. You can, you must. I will take no denial. Loftus and I have
had a long, long talk this afternoon. I have found at last the very
bottom of Bertram's heart. He came to me to save him, and I am
determined to be his deliverer. One quarter of my fortune I give to
Loftus Bertram, and he shall marry Nina, and his debts shall be paid,
and his mother relieved from the dreadful strain of anxiety she is now
undergoing, and Loftus and Nina shall be happy and good. Oh, yes, I know
they will be good as well as happy. You will help me, Rector, you will,
you must."

"Beatrice, you are the most quixotic, extraordinary, unworldly,
unpractical creature that ever breathed. What sort of guardian should I
be if I listened to so mad a scheme? What right has Loftus Bertram to
one farthing of your money, without you?"

"He can't have it with me, Rector. I would not marry him now at any
price."

"Then he must do without the money."

"No, he must have the money. Steps must be taken to secure it to him at
once, and he must keep his wedding-day with Nina instead of me. Nina
shall have my trousseau; we are exactly of one height--You have got to
change the name in the marriage license. If that is impossible there
shall be a special license. I am rich, I can pay for it. Oh, the joy
that sometimes money brings!"

"My dear ward, you are a little off your head