? Tell me, and I would do it at any cost."

"Will you?" and he came nearer. "At the cost of yourself?"

She thrilled all over, and convulsively grasped the arm of her chair.

"Would not a son be the best person to shield her from annoyance," he
added, trying for his usual tone, but failing, he exclaimed, "Rachel,
Rachel, let me!"

She put her hands over her face, and cried, "Oh! oh! I never thought of
this."

"No," he said, "and I know what you do think of it, but indeed you need
not be wasted. Our women and children want so much done for them, and
none of our ladies are able or willing. Will you not come and help me?"

"Don't talk to me of helping! I do nothing but spoil and ruin."

"Not now! That is all gone and past. Come and begin afresh."

"No, no, I am too disagreeable."

"May not I judge for myself?" he said, drawing nearer, and his voice
falling into tremulous tenderness.

"Headstrong--overbearing."

"Try," and his smile overbore her.

"Oh no, no, nobody can bear me! This is more than you--you ought to
do--than any one should," she faltered, not knowing what she said.

"Than any one to whom you were not most dear!" was the answer, and he
was now standing over her, with the dew upon his eyelashes.

"Oh, that can't be. Bessie said you always took up whatever other people
hated, and I know it is only that--"

"Don't let Bessie's sayings come between us now, Rachel. This goes too
deep," and he had almost taken her hand, when with a start she drew it
back, saying, "But you know what they say!"

"Have they been stupid enough to tell you?" he exclaimed. "Confute them
then, Rachel--dolts that can't believe in self-devotion! Laugh at their
beards. This is the way to put an end to it!"

"Oh no, they would only detest you for my sake. I can't," she said
again, bowed down again with shame and dejection.

"I'll take care of that!" he said with the dry tone that perhaps was
above all reassurance, and conquered her far enough to enable him to
take possession of the thin and still listless hand.

"Then," he said, "you will let me take this whole matter in hand; and if
the worst comes to the worst, we will make up to the charity out of the
Indian money, without vexing the mother."

"I can't let you suffer for my miserable folly."

"Too late to say that!" he answered; and as her eyes were raised to him
in startled inquiry, he said gravely, "These last weeks have shown me
that your troubles must be mine."