ng that I would have less compunction in accepting his good
offices. All I ask, girl, is that you will try to like Mr. Crane; if you
can't, well, you won't find me making you unhappy. But I can tell you
this, Allis, unless matters mend, and how the change is to come I can't
say, your father will lose Ringwood and it will belong to Mr. Crane.
Even if the horses were sold off, the money would not clear the debts;
besides, I think that even the horses are encumbered."

Allis stood in indecision for a little, thinking deeply; then she went
up to her mother, and, taking her face in her hands, kissed her.

"I understand, mother," she said, "you are worrying over the dear old
place, over my future, and over father, and it is nothing but worry,
worry, worry all the time. But I'll save Ringwood for you, mother.
I hope father will soon be well again and that luck will change; but
anyway, mother, I promise you that no matter what effort it costs me you
sha'nt sacrifice the dear old place."

Mrs. Porter's eyes were wet with tears of gratitude. She was thinking
only of the redemption of the place through Crane; but Allis's words
had meant far more than she had taken from them. They were inspired by a
faith that she could save their fortunes without sacrificing herself to
Crane. If not, if she failed, she was brave, she was a Porter, and would
keep her word and save Ringwood, even at that price.

XVIII

Journeying back to New York, Crane reviewed in detail his interview
with Mrs. Porter. He congratulated himself upon his wisdom in having
instituted his love suit by proxy. With all his masterfulness he was
very considerably in awe of Miss Allis. There was a not-to-be-daunted
expression in her extraordinary eyes which made him feel that a love
tilt with her would be a somewhat serious business. He pictured himself
as an ardent lover; he would cut a droll figure in that role, he knew;
emotions were hardly in his line. He might feel such an assertive
emotion as love quite as strongly as anyone, in fact, did, but could he
express himself with faultless consistency? He rather doubted it. His
usual slow-advancing method was certainly ordained of this intricate
endeavor; and he had made great progress with the mother, the one above
all others to be placated; adversity, continuous as it promised to
be, would probably settle Porter's influence in his favor. His plan of
action plainly was to be often at Ringwood to familiarize the h