red Folly old. He tried now and failed. Folly and
youth were inseparable; Folly _was_ youth. Then he gave up thinking of
Folly. That moment did not belong to her. As once before, the fragrance
and the memory of H lne clung to him, held him.

He passed slowly into the room where Leighton sat. He felt a dread lest
his father ask him what it was H lne had said. But he wronged his
father. Leighton merely glanced up, flashed a look into the eyes of his
son. He saw and knew the light that was there for the light that lingers
in the eyes of him who comes from looking upon holy inner places.

For an hour neither spoke, then Leighton said:

"Going out to lunch to-day?"

"No," said Lewis; "I've told Nelton I'd be in."

"About this marriage," said Leighton, smiling. "Let's look on it as a
settled thing that there's going to be a marriage. Have you thought
about the date and ways and means?"

Lewis flushed.

"Don't misunderstand me," said Leighton. "I might as well tell you that
I've decided to divide my income equally between us, marriage or no
marriage."

"Dad!" cried Lewis, half protesting.

"There, there," said Leighton, "you're not getting from me what you
think. What I mean is that I'm not making any sacrifice. I've lived on
half my income for some time. You'll need a lump-sum of money besides.
Your grandmother left you a big house in Albany. It won't bring much,
but I think you'd better sell it. It's on the wrong side of the town
now."

"I'll do whatever you say, Dad," said Lewis.

"I suggest that you fix your marriage for six months from now," went on
Leighton. "That will give us time to go over and untangle certain
affairs, including the house, on the other side. It isn't altogether on
account of the house I want to take you over."

Lewis had winced at six months. Now he looked questioningly at his
father.

"Keep your eyes open as you go through life," continued Leighton, "and
you'll see that marriage is a great divisor. All the sums of friendship
and relation are cut in two by marriage. You and I, we've been friends,
and before I surrender you I think it's only just that I should take you
over and introduce you to your inheritance."

"My inheritance?" asked Lewis.

"Yes," said Leighton, "your country."

"You might think," continued Leighton, "that I'm an expatriate.
Externally I have been, but never in the heart. I've been
waiting--waiting for our country to catch up to me. Under certain
conditions a