hink so poorly of me.
I know to what you refer--that afternoon in the library--and now I can
explain all that has troubled you. I had a talk with Hector after you
left, and we discovered that we both wanted the same thing. He thought
he had the first claim, and that it was my duty to stand aside until he
had had his chance, and I agreed that he was right. Not because he was
the older! I would not have acknowledged such a plea in this matter,
but because he had so much more to offer you. Compared to myself he is
a rich man, and you would have been better off with him. I promised to
stand aside and put no obstacle in his way, and having given a promise I
tried to keep it unselfishly, and to show you that I cared for your
happiness before my own by remaining friendly and pleasant."

Peggy's grimace of disfavour was an eloquent comment. "I hated your
pleasantness!" she said tersely. "I hated your friendship! I wanted
you to be furious, and rage, and storm, and demand an explanation. You
made me very wretched with your `pleasantness,' I can tell you that!"

"Not half so wretched as I made myself. I wouldn't live through the
last month again for any inducement you could offer; but you are not
altogether free from blame yourself, for you have no idea what a little
poker of dignity you have been to me all the time. Only to-day, when
you asked my help, my own little Peggy came back, and then in the train
Hector gave me a hint of what had happened. Poor old fellow, it's rough
on him, but I can't pity him as I ought, for I am so outrageously happy!
Partners, Mariquita! We are going to be partners all our lives. It
seems too good to be true! I shall have to give up all thought of
journeys to unknown lands; but, thank goodness! work seems to open out
more and more at home, and we will be as happy as sandboys in a little
home near your parents, working together and helping one another as we
can do so well."

"We will! We will! You shall supply the facts, and I will write them
up. You do write such commonplace English, dear--not one bit
picturesque! Wait until I have worked up your articles for you; you
won't know them, they will be so altered!"

"I believe you there!" said Rob demurely; but Peggy was launched on the
stream of eloquence, and oblivious of sarcasm.

"Oh, oh! It will be lovely!" she cried. "We will have the dearest
little house, with a study for you, and a study for me, and a garden,
and a pony