Duncan was disposed to plead for better terms, but the little lady had
fully made up her mind and would accept no modification of the treaty.
Duncan had no choice but to accept an arrangement which, after all, had
much of joy and still more of promise in it.

As they were on the point of parting, Barbara--with something like a
struggle--made an addition to the compact.

"If that slander sticks to you, Guilford, I'll marry you at once and
give it the lie."

What could the warm-blooded young man do but kiss her with fervor?

"Surely you will forgive me," he began in fear, lest he had offended.

"I don't mind--for once. But you mustn't do that again till--well, while
we continue to be just friends."

XXVII

MRS. HALLAM HEARS NEWS

As Guilford Duncan sat late that night, recalling the events of the
evening, he felt himself more and more nearly satisfied with the outcome
of his wooing. It was true, of course, that Barbara had not promised to
become his wife, as he had hoped that she might do, but at any rate she
had confessed her love for him in a way that left nothing to conjecture.
With such a woman, he reflected, love is never lightly given, and once
given it can never be withdrawn.

Moreover, as he reflected upon the compact, he saw how certainly the
close and intimate friendship for which it provided must daily and
hourly draw the two lovers closer and closer together, making each of
them more and more necessary to the other. In brief, there was so much
that was satisfactory in the compact that he put aside all the rest as
"not worth worrying over."

As he realized the extent of his success in his wooing he planned to
perfect it in a hundred ways. He resolved to make every possible
opportunity for Barbara to help him, in order that she might learn how
helpful she could be. He determined to acquaint her with all his
affairs, in the utmost detail, in order that she might make herself more
and more a part of his life. His first thought was that he would
withhold from her knowledge everything that annoyed or distressed him,
thus sparing her all that he could of pain, while telling her freely of
every joyous thing. But he quickly saw how unfair that would be, and how
unlike what such a woman would desire. He had begun to catch something
of Barbara's own spirit, and to know that any reserves with her now
would be a cruel wrong to her loving desire for a helpful share in his
life.

"I will be as frank