are going to write
about settlements and all that. I have never said I would, and I don't
feel as if--as if I ought to let him do it; and if ever the thing is to
be stopped at all, this is the only time."

"But why? You do not wish--"

"Don't talk of what I wish," said Rachel. "Talk of what is good for
him."

Ermine was struck with the still resolute determination of judging for
herself--the self-sufficiency, almost redeemed by the unselfishness, and
the face was most piteously in earnest.

"My dear, surely he can be trusted to judge. He is no boy, in spite of
his looks. The Colonel always says that he is as much older than his age
in character as he is younger in appearance."

"I know that," said Rachel, "but I don't think he ought to be trusted
here; for you see," and she looked down, "all the blindness of--of his
affection is enhanced by his nobleness and generosity, and he has nobody
to check or stop him; and it does seem to me a shame for us all to catch
at such compassion, and encumber him with me, just because I am marked
for scorn and dislike. I can't get any one to help me look at it so.
My own people would fancy it was only that I did not care for him;
and he--I can't even think about it when he is here, but I get quite
distracted with doubts if it can be right whenever he goes away. And you
are the only person who can help me! Bessie wrote very kindly to me, and
I asked to see what she said to him. I thought I might guess her feeling
from it. And he said he knew I should fancy it worse than it was if he
did not let me see. It was droll, and just like her--not unkind, but I
could see it is the property that makes her like it. And his uncle is
blind, you know, and could only send a blessing, and kind hopes, and all
that. Oh, if I could guess whether that uncle thinks he ought! What does
Colonel Keith think? I know you will tell me truly."

"He thinks," said Ermine, with a shaken voice, "that real trustworthy
affection outweighs all the world could say."

"But he thinks it is a strange, misplaced liking, exaggerated by pity
for one sunk so low?" said Rachel, in an excited manner.

"Rachel," said Ermine, "you must take my beginning as a pledge of my
speaking the whole truth. Colonel Keith is certainly not fond of you
personally, and rather wonders at Alick, but he has never doubted that
this is the genuine feeling that is for life, and that it is capable of
making you both better and happier. Indeed, Ra