."

The old gentleman's book fell to the floor.

"You don't say so! Ah, that's very good! Very good! I am glad of that;
every young man ought to marry. There is no happiness like it in this
world, whatever there may be in the next.

"'Interea dulces pendent circum oscula nati.'

"I will come and see you," he smiled.

"Come and see me!"

"But I am not very much at home in New York," he pursued rather
wistfully; "it is too noisy for me. I am too old-fashioned for it."

"New York? But I'm not going to live in New York!"

A slight shadow swept over the General's face.

"Well, you must live where she will be happiest," he said thoughtfully.
"A gentleman owes that to his wife.--Do you think she will be willing to
live elsewhere?"

"Who do you think it is, sir!"

"Mrs. Lancaster, isn't it?"

"Why, no; it is Lois Huntington. I am engaged to her. She has promised
to marry me."

"To her!--to Lois Huntington--my little girl!" The old gentleman rose to
his feet, his face alight with absolute joy. "That is something like it!
Where is she? When is it to be? I will come and live with you."

"Of course, you must. It is on that condition that she agrees to marry
me," said Keith, smiling with new happiness at his pleasure.

"'In her tongue is the law of kindness,'" quoted the old gentleman. "God
bless you both. 'Her price is far above rubies.'" And after a pause he
added gently: "I hope your mother knows of this. I think she must: she
seems so close to me to-day."

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GORDON KEITH***

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