she came within the circle of his arm she whispered, "Yes, I love
them ever such a lot. But I love you best of all, except Uncle Everard,
and he doesn't want me when he's got Aunt Stella. I s'pose you never
wanted a little girl for your very own did you?"

He looked down at her, his blue eyes full of tenderness. "I've often
wanted you, Tessa," he said.

"Have you?" she beamed upon him, rubbing her flushed cheek against his
shoulder. "I'm sure you can have me if you like," she said.

He pressed her to him. "I don't think your mother would agree to that,
you know."

Tessa's red lips pouted disgust. "Oh, she wouldn't care! She never cares
what I do. She likes it much best when I'm not there."

Bernard's brows were slightly drawn. His arm held the little slim body
very closely to him.

"You and I would be so happy," insinuated Tessa, as he did not speak.
"I'd do as you told me always. And I'd never, never be rude to you."

He bent and kissed her. "I know that, my darling."

"And when you got old, dear Uncle St. Bernard,--really old, I mean--I'd
take such care of you," she proceeded. "I'd be--more--than a daughter to
you."

"Ah!" he said. "I should like that, my princess of the bluebell eyes."

"You would?" she looked at him eagerly. "Then don't you think you might
tell Mother you'll have me? I know she wouldn't mind."

He smiled at her impetuosity. "We must be patient, my princess," he
said. "These things can't be done offhand, if at all."

She slid her arm round his neck and hugged him. "But there is the
weeniest, teeniest chance, isn't there? 'Cos you do think you'd like to
have me if I was good, and I'd--love--to belong to you. Is there just
the wee-est little chance, Uncle St. Bernard? Would it be any good
praying for it?"

He took her little hand into his warm kind grasp, for she was quivering
all over with excitement.

"Yes, pray, little one!" he said. "You may not get exactly what you
want. But there will be an answer if you keep on. Be sure of that!"

Tessa nodded comprehension. "All right. I will. And you will too, won't
you? It'll be fun both praying for the same thing, won't it? Oh, my
wine! I nearly spilt it."

"Better drink it and make it safe!" he said with a twinkle. "I'm going
to drink mine, and then we'll go on to the verandah and wait for
something to happen."

"Is something going to happen?" asked Tessa, with a shiver of delighted
anticipation.

He laughed. "Perhaps,--if we live lo