he mother and child are
now costing me the greater part of my income. My grandfather finds
fault with me about it, for he regards it as so much money thrown
away. Now, Leopold, do you think I could draw a man I really loved
into such a maelstrom as this?"

"The man worthy to possess you, Francis, will not be drawn in, but
will aid you in getting out of it."

"It is impossible; I will never abandon this child of Harry Blount's."

"I would never advise you to do anything of the sort. I know the way
to treat such people as Mrs. Jool. The child must be taken away from
her and brought up by respectable farmers; perhaps the Pauwelsens
would take him. To-morrow I will go with you to the village----"

"You will only stir a wasps' nest about your ears."

"Oh, never mind; I am not afraid of a sting."

"It's bad enough that this woman has been playing the spy on us
to-day."

"When she sees us together to-morrow she will understand that it is
useless playing the spy on us any longer."

"But then she will make us the talk of the country-side. You don't
know the wickedness that woman's capable of."

"Well, what can she say more than that we are an engaged couple? And
is this not true, Francis?" I said, gently taking her hand in mine.

"You come back to the subject again, even now you know all," she
murmured; "but you have not calculated all the troubles and burdens
which would fall upon you: Rolf, whom we could not send away from
the Werve; my grandfather with his large wants--and small income. Oh
yes, I know you are going back to the Hague to reconcile yourself
with your uncle the minister, as the General has advised you to do;
and I understand why. But don't do so for my sake, Leopold, for you
have yourself said it would demean you."

"Reassure yourself on that point, Francis; I may forgive my uncle
and seek to be reconciled to him, as my religion bids me; but never
for the sake of his favours. But why so many difficulties? Don't you
see I love you, Francis; that during the last few days I have been at
some pains to suppress my feelings, and have therein succeeded better
than I gave myself credit for; that, now I have told you all, we must
either part for ever, or I must have the assurance you will accept
me as your husband? I desire it, Francis; I desire it with a firmness
of will that despises all objections and will remove all difficulties."

"Leopold," she replied, "don't talk to me like this. No one ever spoke
t