ou young rascal! I shall go home with you to-morrow, and--"

"Will it take place at once?" I asked with a pang at my heart.

"What? our marriage? You are hurrying matters charmingly. Mrs.
Randolph has not yet accepted me. But I will confess to you, my boy,
that I shall be more than happy, more than proud, if I can persuade
her to allow me to introduce her to my friends in Washington in
December."

We walked about for more than an hour after, but said no more about
the matter, although it was stirring below every thought and word of
each of us. I felt the weariness of soul which succeeds a struggle,
and my guardian tried, but unsuccessfully, to conceal the elation
which follows victory. Yet subdued and unhappy though I was, haunted
by a sense of terrible loss, I was proud and glad to have contented
him. He talked to me intimately, and discussed my plans for the
future. I was to enter college the next year, and he pointed out
the fact, to which I was not insensible, that our old life at home
would necessarily have been broken up when I left Belfield. He spoke
of my pecuniary means, and frankly informed me that his property
amounted to three hundred thousand dollars, and that this amount he
had divided into thirds--one for my mother, one for Helen and one
for me.

"Oh, sir," I burst out, "you must not be so generous to me."

"And why not? My little girl has too much already: it has always been
one of the discomforts of my life that she is so rich, so raised above
all human wants, that I have had it in my power to do nothing for
her. I have seen poor men buying clothes and shoes for their little
sunburned children, and envied them."

We had been lounging toward the house, and now had reached the
terrace, where we found Mr. Raymond pacing feebly up and down in the
mild sunshine leaning on Frederick's arm. Mr. Floyd stepped forward
and took the valet's place, investing the slight courtesy with the
charm of his grand manner.

"Where is Helen?" asked Mr. Raymond. "I supposed that she was with
you, James."

"I have not seen her since breakfast.--Suppose you look her up, Floyd?
I am afraid she is with Miss Georgy, and in mischief, no doubt.--I
object, sir," Mr. Floyd added to his father-in-law, "to Helen's having
too much of the society of Miss Lenox. She is a pretty little devil
enough, but then I don't like pretty little devils."

"I have written to Mrs. Lenox to recall her," returned Mr. Raymond
stiffly. "She is no