on't think any one could say more in
one word than you could. But do you love him, Nance? Do you love him?
That is the great, great thing. And you are so very young." A look of
keen anxiety crossed her face, and she gazed into Nance's eyes, as if
striving to read her heart.

Nance returned her look with a steadfast gravity, curious in one so
young.

"Next to you, Clo, he's the best person in all the world," she said.

The tears in Clodagh's eyes brimmed over.

"You put me first? Really, Nance? Really?"

Nance nodded seriously.

"And next to you, he's the very best! But, Clo"--she blushed deeply--"he
wants me to marry him soon--fearfully soon--in the autumn. He's coming
over with Mrs. Estcoit and Daisy in three weeks' time, to try to
persuade you. Clo, you're not vexed? He has promised that we shall be
together more than half every year, if you wish."

Clodagh, touched by a pang of loneliness, turned away and gazed through
the open window across the sleeping country.

"And you love him? You are certain that you love him?" She turned again
and laid her hands on her sister's shoulders.

Nance's gaze, wise in its very youthfulness, met hers unflinchingly.

"I care for him like I care for you, Clo. And I've cared for you
always."

Clodagh drew a long breath.

"Then I am satisfied. I shall not keep you from happiness." With a
quiet movement she bent forward and kissed the soft hair above Nance's
forehead.

After this seal of love, both were silent for a minute or two; then
Nance spoke again, her lashes lowered, her fingers twisted tightly
about her sister's.

"Clo, doesn't it seem wonderful that he should care for me--he, who is
so bright and clever and rich? But I've been lucky in everything,
haven't I? I haven't liked to say it before, but wasn't it awfully
kind--awfully good of James----?"

Clodagh half withdrew her hand. In the surprising news that Nance had
given her, she had forgotten the confession she had still to make.

"Clo, wasn't it awfully kind of him?"

Clodagh did not answer at once; and when she did so, her voice was
strained.

"--To leave you that money? That thousand pounds?"

"Yes; the thousand pounds. Clo, you don't know the dozens and dozens of
times it has made me happy to think of that since--since Pierce has
cared for me. It isn't that I like money for itself; but, when one is
horribly poor, one is sensitive about marrying a millionaire. I mean,
you know----" Again her fingers