s heart was full to bursting,
with the success of his scheming. They walked the length of the long
room, looked out of each window, returned to the fireplace. He held her
fast and whispered in her ear:

"Robin, I can see all sorts of things in this room. I saw them the
minute I came into it first, a month ago. I've stood here, dreaming,
more than once since then. I see ourselves, living here, and--I
see--Robin--I see--little figures!"

She nodded, with her face against his breast. He lifted her face, and
his lips met hers in such a meeting as they had not yet known. Richard's
heart beat hard with the sure knowledge of that which he had only dared
before to believe would be true--that his wife would rejoice to be the
mother of his children. Not in vain had this young man looked into child
faces and brought joy to their eyes; he had learned that life would
never be complete without children of his own. And now he knew,
certainly, that this woman whom he loved would gladly join her superb
young life with his in the bringing of other lives into the world, with
their full heritage, and not a drop withheld. It was a wondrous moment.

They went out together, in search of Mr. Kendrick and Ruth, and then the
party proceeded over the house. With a word and a fee Richard dismissed
the caretaker, and the four were free to talk of their affairs. Ruth was
wild with delight at the news; Mr. Kendrick quietly happy at Roberta's
words to him, and her clasp of his hand.

"Richard was sure you would be pleased, my dear," he said, "and I myself
could not doubt that, brought up in the atmosphere you have been, you
must prefer such a home as this, so like your own. And if you would
really care to have me here with you, a part of the year, I could but be
gratified and contented."

They assured him of their joy at this: they mounted the stairs with him
and searched for the apartments which should be his. In spite of his
protests they insisted on his occupying those which were obviously the
choicest of the house, declaring that nothing could be too good for him.
He was deeply touched at their devotion, and they were as glad as he.
The time passed rapidly in these momentous affairs.

"I suppose we must be off," admitted Richard reluctantly, discovering
the hour. "Robin, how can you bear to leave it so long untenanted? From
July to Christmas--what an interminable stretch of time!"

"Not with all you have planned to do," Roberta reminded him