trembled with joy. "What Mr. Abbot
told me does not affect your worth or character, nor his either, and some
time I believe the wrong will be made all right. Even were the facts more
serious than they are, they need not trouble us, for I could take you far
away from every breath of evil, and as my wife it could never touch you.
So you will give yourself to me, Virgie?"

"Yes," she answered, with grave sweetness; "if papa thinks it is right, I
cannot put my cup of happiness away untasted."

Sir William Heath bent and touched the beautiful girl's lips with his
first lover's kiss.

"My beloved," he said, "life looks to me now like one long vista of
happiness--may it prove so to both of us."

They sat there beneath the shadow of the great pine for more than an hour,
wearing bright plans for the future, while the twilight gathered around
them. But as yet Sir William had not told his bethrothed who he was, nor
of the title awaiting her when she should become his wife. Somehow, he
felt strangely reluctant to do so.

Once he had spoken of his home, and Virgie looked up with sudden interest,
and asked:

"Where is your home, Mr. Heath?"

An amused smile played about his lips at her question

"My friends--that is those who love me---call me 'Will,' there," he said,
significantly; "and surely, darling you need not treat me with so much
formality. Do not call me Mr. Heath any more, Virgie."

"Please tell me where our home is to be--Will," she said, looking up at
him with a shy smile, and blushing as the newly spoken name left her lips.

He bent and touched them fondly with his own.

"In England, love," he returned.

"England!"

"Yes. Shall you regret leaving your own country?"

"No; I think I shall be glad," Virgie answered, with a little sigh of
content and relief.

Sir William looked gratified.

"Shall I describe our home to you?" he asked, thinking that perhaps now
would be as good a time as any to tell more about himself and what her
future position would be.

"Yes, do, please."

"Well, then, imagine a large, old mansion, with many turrets and gables,
its time-worn stones grown with ivy and moss, and set in the midst of
extensive grounds, with grand, beautiful trees scattered all about. There
is a great hall in the center of the house, with spacious rooms on either
hand. At the end of this hall is the library, with two large bay-windows
overlooking a winding river, which is the pride and glory of the plac