itated for
a moment before her choking voice could pronounce his name--"Mr. Alden
Lytton?"

"Yes, I believe so. Everybody says so."

"When?"

"As soon as he gets established in his profession, I suppose."

"Tell me about him."

"Well, he is coming here on the first of the month to find an office and
fit it up. And then he is going on to Philadelphia to select books for a
law library."

"Ah, he is coming here and he is going on to Philadelphia. Yes, yes,
yes, yes! That will do," murmured Mary Grey, to herself.

"What did you say?" inquired Craven Kyte.

"I said that it was a good plan; but it will take money," answered Mrs.
Grey.

"Yes, that it will. And he has got it. That mysterious guardian of his
has sent him ten thousand dollars to begin with."

"A round sum! When did you say he was coming here?"

"On the first of next month; or, perhaps, before the end of this month."

"Good! Very good!"

"Good for what?" innocently inquired Craven Kyte.

"Good for his professional prospects, of course! The sooner he begins
the better, isn't it?"

"Oh, yes; certainly!"

"And when does he go to Philadelphia?"

"Just as soon as he has selected his law office and set painters and
glaziers and paper-hangers and upholsterers and such to fit it up. For
no expense is to be spared, and the young lawyer is to set up in style.
For such is the wish of his guardian."

"You know this?"

"Yes, I know it. One knows everything that anybody else knows in a small
village like Wendover."

"You do not know when Mr. Lytton and Miss Cavendish are to be married?"

"No, because I do not think they know themselves. But the people say it
will be as soon as the young gentleman gets settled in his practice."

"Good again! The delay is favorable," muttered Mary Grey to herself.

"What did you say?" again inquired the ingenuous young man.

"I say the delay is wise, of course."

"Oh, yes; certainly!" assented Mr. Kyte.

"And now tell me about the others," said Mrs. Grey.

But her lover took her hand and gazed into her face, murmuring:

"Oh, my love, my life, let me sit here and hold your thrilling little
hand and gaze into your beautiful eyes, and think only of you for a
moment!"

She put her hand around his head and drew it toward her and pressed a
kiss upon his forehead, and then said:

"There! Now you will go on for me, will you not?"

"I would die for you!" he earnestly exclaimed.

"I would rather you would live for