settled."

"The business required so little attention on my part," I replied to
this, "that I have never felt that I could, in conscience, render an
account. And besides, it was with me so much a labor of love, that I
do not wish to mar the pleasure I felt by overlaying it with a
compensation."

"No man could possibly feel more deeply your generous good will toward
me and mine--manifested from the beginning until now--than I do, Doctor.
But I cannot permit the obligation to rest all on one side."

He pulled out a drawer of the library-table, as he said this, and taking
therefrom a broad parchment document, laid it down, and while his hand
rested upon it continued--

"Anticipating that, as heretofore, I might not be able to get your
figures, I have taken the matter into my own hands, and fixed the amount
of compensation--subject, of course, to objections on your part, if I
have made the award too low. These papers are the title deeds of Ivy
Cottage, executed in your favor. There are memories and associations
connected with this dear spot, which must for ever be sacred in
the hearts of myself and wife; and it would be pain to us to see it
desecrated by strangers. In equity and love, then, we pass it over to
you and yours; and may God give you as much happiness beneath its roof
as we have known."

Surprise kept me silent for some time. But as soon as my thoughts ran
free, I answered--

"No--no, Mr. Wallingford. This is fixing the sum entirely beyond a fair
estimate. I cannot for a moment--"

He stopped me before I could finish the sentence.

"Doctor!" He spoke with earnestness and deep feeling. "There is no
living man to whom I am so heavily indebted as I am to you. Not until
after my marriage was I aware that your favorable word, given without
qualification, bore me into the confidence of Mrs. Montgomery, and thus
opened the way for me to happiness and fortune. My good Blanche has
often repeated to me the language you once used in my favor, and which
awakened in her mind an interest which gradually deepened into love. My
heart moves towards you, Doctor, and you must let its impulses have way
in this small matter. Do not feel it as an obligation. That is all on
our side. We cannot let Ivy Cottage go entirely out of the family. We
wish to have as much property in it as the pilgrim has in Mecca. We must
visit it sometimes, and feel always that its chambers are the abodes of
peace and love. A kind Providence has gi