ite sure you--love William?"

Billy flushed with anger.

"You have no right to ask such a question. Of course I love William."

"Of course you do--we all love William. William is, in fact, a most
lovable man. But William's wife should, perhaps, love him a little
differently from--all of us."

"And she will, certainly," retorted the girl, with a quick lifting of
her chin. "Bertram, I don't think you have any right to--to make such
insinuations."

"And I won't make them any more," replied Bertram, gravely. "I just
wanted you to make sure that you--knew."

"I shall make sure, and I shall know," said Billy, firmly--so firmly
that it sounded almost as if she were trying to convince herself as well
as others.

There was a long pause, then the man asked diffidently:

"And so you are very sure that--that you want me to--stay?"

"Indeed I do! Besides,--don't you remember?--there are all my people to
be entertained. They must be taken to places, and given motor rides
and picnics. You told me last week that you'd love to help me; but, of
course, if you don't want to--"

"But I do want to," cried Bertram, heartily, a gleam of the old
cheerfulness springing to his eyes. "I'm dying to!"

The girl looked up with quick distrust. For a moment she eyed him
with bent brows. To her mind he had gone back to his old airy, hopeful
light-heartedness. He was once more "only Bertram." She hesitated, then
said with stern decision:

"Bertram, you know I want you, and you must know that I'm delighted to
have you drop this silly notion of going away. But if this quick change
means that you are staying with any idea that--that _I_ shall change,
then--then you must go. But if you will stay as WILLIAM'S BROTHER
then--I'll be more than glad to have you."

"I'll stay--as William's brother," agreed Bertram; and Billy did not
notice the quick indrawing of his breath nor the close shutting of his
lips after the words were spoken.

CHAPTER XXXVIII

THE ENGAGEMENT OF TWO

By the middle of July the routine of Billy's days was well established.
Marie had been for a week a welcome addition to the family, and she
was proving to be of invaluable aid in entertaining Billy's guests. The
overworked widow and the little lodging-house keeper from the West End
were enjoying Billy's hospitality now; and just to look at their beaming
countenances was an inspiration, Billy said.

Cyril had gone abroad. Aunt Hannah was spending a week at the Nort