ght movement when quite at random I alluded to
the uncertainty of life. Then he answered slowly:

"I think in that case we could discuss all this again, though it would be
better far for you to consider my refusal as definite. Now I have such
confidence in my daughter's obedience that on the one condition that you
do not seek to prejudice her against me I do not absolutely forbid your
seeing Miss Carrington--on occasion--but you must write no letters, and
you may take it as a compliment that I should tell you I have acted only
as seemed best in her interest. Neither should it be needful to inform you
that she will never marry without my consent. And now, reiterating my
thanks, I fail to see how anything would be gained by prolonging this
interview."

I knew from his face that this was so, and that further words might be a
fatal mistake, and I went out hurriedly, forgetting, I am afraid, to
return his salutation, though when I met his sister she glanced at me with
sympathy as she pointed toward another door. When I entered this Grace
rose to meet me. The time we spent in the canyon had drawn us closer
together than many months of companionship might have done, and it was
with no affectation of bashful diffidence that she beckoned me to a place
beside her on the casement logs, saying simply, "You have bad news,
sweetheart. Tell me everything."

Her father had exacted no promise about secrecy. Indeed, if the
arrangement mentioned compromised a prospective husband, as I thought it
did, Grace was doubtless fully acquainted with it; and I told her what had
passed. Then she drew herself away from me.

"And is there nothing to be added? Have you lost your usual eloquence?"
she said.

"Yes," I continued, "I was coming to it. It is this: while I live I will
never abandon the hope of winning you; and, with such a hope, whatever
difficulty must be grappled with first, I know that some day I shall do
it."

"And," said Grace, with a heightened color, and her liquid eyes shining,
"is there still nothing else?" And while I glanced at her in a bewildered
fashion she continued, "Do you, like my father, take my consent for
granted? Well, I will give it to you. Ralph, while you are living, and
after, if you must go a little before I do, I will never look with favor
upon any man. Meantime, sweetheart--for, as he said, I will not resist my
father's will, save only in one matter--you must work and I must wait,
trusting in what the futu