therto commanded. This does not, Miss
Denyer, make me a wealthy man; far from it. But it puts certain things
within my reach that I could not think of formerly. For instance, I
shall be able to take a modest house, either in the country, or here in
one of the suburbs. It's my wish to do so. My one great wish is to
settle down and have something to--to occupy my time."

Barbara breathed a faint approval.

"You may wonder, Miss Denyer, why I trouble you with these details.
Perhaps I might be pardoned for doing so, if I spoke with--with a
desire for your friendly sympathy. But there is more than that in my
mind. The day is come, Miss Denyer, when I am able to say what I would
gladly have said before our parting at Naples, if it had been
justifiable in me. That is rather a long time ago, but the feeling I
then had has only increased in the meanwhile. Miss Denyer, I desire
humbly to ask if you will share with me my new prosperity, such as it
is?"

The interview lasted an hour and a quarter. Mrs. Denyer panted with
impatience in the back parlour. Such an extended visit could not but
have unusual significance. On hearing the door of the other room open,
she stood up and listened. But there was no word in the passage, no
audible murmur.

The front door closed, and in two ticks of the clock Barbara came
headlong into the parlour. With broken breath, with hysterical laughing
and sobbing, she made known what had happened. It was too much for her;
the relief of suspense, the absolute triumph, were more than she could
support with decency. Mrs. Denyer shed tears, and embraced her daughter
as if they had always been on the fondest terms.

"Go up and tell Maddy!"

But, as not seldom befalls, happiness inspired Barbara with a delicacy
of feeling to which as a rule she was a stranger.

"I don't like to, mamma. It seems cruel."

"But you can't help it, my dear; and she must know tomorrow if not
to-day."

So before long Barbara went upstairs. She entered the room softly.
Madeline had her eyes fixed on the ceiling, and did not move them as
her sister approached the bed.

"Maddy!"

Then indeed she looked at the speaker, and with surprise, so unwonted
was this tone on Barbara's lips. Surprise was quickly succeeded by a
smile.

"I know, Barbara; I understand."

"What? How can you?"

"I heard a cab drive up, and I heard a knock at the door. 'That's Mr.
Musselwhite,' I thought. He has been here a long time, and now I
unders