ick
still, and you'll never be old to us, but you are not in love, and you
can't understand what it is to be a young fellow like me to see an old
fellow like Roy coming in and just walking over the course. But he
sha'nt do it! Long ago, when I was quite a lad, I made up my mind to
get her; and get her I will, spite of Mr. Roy or any body."

Fortune was touched. That strong will which she too had had, able, like
faith, to "remove mountains," sympathized involuntarily with the lad. It
was just what she would have said and done, had she been a man and loved
a woman. She gave David's hand a warm clasp, which he returned.

"Forgive me," said he, affectionately. "I did not mean to bother you;
but as things stand, the matter is better out than in. I hate
underhandedness. I may have made an awful fool of myself, but at least I
have not made a fool of her. I have been as careful as possible not to
compromise her in any way; for I know how people do talk, and a man has
no right to let the girl he loves be talked about. The more he loves
her, the more he ought to take care of her. Don't you think so?"

"Yes."

"I'd cut myself up into little pieces for Janetta's sake," he went on,
"and I'd do a deal for Helen too, the sisters are so fond of one another.
She shall always have a home with us, when we are married."

"Then," said Miss Williams, hardly able again to resist a smile, "you are
quite certain you will be married? You have no doubt about her caring
for you?"

David pulled his whiskers, not very voluminous yet, looked conscious, and
yet humble.

"Well, I don't exactly say that. I know I'm not half good enough for
her. Still, I thought, when I had taken my degree and fairly settled
myself at the bar, I'd try. I have a tolerably good income of my own
too, though of course I am not as well off as that confounded Roy. There
he is at this minute meandering up and down the West Sands with those two
girls, setting every body's tongue going! I can't stand it. I declare
to you I won't stand it another day."

"Stop a moment," and she caught hold of David as he started up. "What
are you going to do?"

"I don't know and I don't care, only I won't have my girl talked
about--my pretty, merry, innocent girl. He ought to know better, a
shrewd old fellow like him. It is silly, selfish, mean."

This was more than Miss Williams could bear. She stood up, pale to the
lips, but speaking strongly, almost fiercely: