rself. You were a brave girl, and if you are
not proud of yourself, _I_ am proud of you."

So, when her uncle was announced, Caroline was ready. She entered the
library and acknowledged his greeting with a distant bow. He regarded
her kindly, but his manner was grave.

"Well, Caroline," he began, "I got your letter."

"Yes, I presumed you did."

"Um-hm. I got it. It didn't surprise me, what you wrote, because I'd
seen the news in the papers; but I was hopin' you'd tell me yourself,
and I'm real glad you did. I'm much obliged to you."

She had not expected him to take this tone, and it embarrassed her.

"I--I gave you my reasons for writing," she said. "Although I do not
consider that I am, in any sense, duty bound to refer matters, other
than financial, to you; and, although my feelings toward you have not
changed--still, you are my guardian, and--and--"

"I understand. So you're really engaged?"

"Yes."

"Engaged to Mr. Dunn?"

"Yes."

"And you're cal'latin' to marry him?"

"One might almost take that for granted," impatiently.

"Almost--yes. Not always, but generally, I will give in. You're goin' to
marry Malcolm Dunn. Why?"

"Why?" she repeated the question as if she doubted his sanity.

"Yes. Be as patient with me as you can, Caroline. I ain't askin' these
things without what seems to me a good reason. Why are you goin' to
marry him?"

"Why because I choose, I suppose."

"Um-hm. Are you sure of that?"

"Am I sure?" indignantly. "What do you mean?"

"I mean are you sure that it's because you choose, or because _he_ does,
or maybe, because his mother does?"

She turned angrily away. "If you came here to insult me--" she began. He
interrupted her.

"No, no," he protested gently. "Insultin' you is the last thing I want
to do. But, as your father did put you in my charge, I want you to bear
with me while we talk this over together. Remember, Caroline, I ain't
bothered you a great deal lately. I shouldn't now if I hadn't thought
'twas necessary. So please don't get mad, but answer me this: Do you
care for this man you've promised to marry?"

This was a plain question. It should have been answered without the
slightest hesitation. Moreover, the girl had expected him to ask it.
Yet, for a moment, she did hesitate.

"I mean," continued Captain Elisha, "do you care for him _enough_?
Enough to live with him all your life, and see him every day, and be to
him what a true wife ought to be? See him,