ero? It may be
years before you find him; meantime, you could be practicing on me in
ways that would be useful when you get him."

"Oh, Mac! What shall I do with you?" exclaimed Rose, so curiously
affected by this very characteristic wooing that she did not know
whether to laugh or cry, for he was looking at her with his heart in his
eyes, though his proposition was the queerest ever made at such a time.

"Just go on being fond of me in your own way, and let me love you as
much as I like in mine. I'll try to be satisfied with that." And he took
both her hands so beseechingly that she felt more ungrateful than ever.

"No, it would not be fair, for you would love the most and, if the hero
did appear, what would become of you?"

"I should resemble Uncle Alec in one thing at least fidelity, for my
first love would be my last."

That went straight to Rose's heart, and for a minute she stood silent,
looking down at the two strong hands that held hers so firmly yet
so gently, and the thought went through her mind, "Must he, too, be
solitary all his life? I have no dear lover as my mother had, why cannot
I make him happy and forget myself?"

It did not seem very hard, and she owned that, even while she told
herself that compassion was no equivalent for love. She wanted to give
all she could, and keep as much of Mac's affection as she honestly
might, because it seemed to grow more sweet and precious when she
thought of putting it away.

"You will be like Uncle in happier ways than that, I hope, for you, too,
must have a high ideal and find her and be happy," she said, resolving
to be true to the voice of conscience, not be swayed by the impulse of
the moment.

"I have found her, but I don't see any prospect of happiness, do you?"
he asked wistfully.

"Dear Mac, I cannot give you the love you want, but I do trust and
respect you from the bottom of my heart, if that is any comfort," began
Rose, looking up with eyes full of contrition for the pain her reply
must give.

She got no further, however, for those last words wrought a marvelous
change in Mac. Dropping her hands, he stood erect, as if inspired with
sudden energy and hope, while over his face there came a brave, bright
look, which for the moment made him a nobler and comelier man than
ever handsome Prince had been. "It is a comfort!" he said, in a tone
of gratitude that touched her very much. "You said your love must be
founded on respect, and that you have giv