n upon the altar of
self-sacrifice? Oswald may believe that this decision is final. Too,
this handsome, fascinating, imperious, masterful man has been away ample
time to grow cold or meet some other attraction.

In their tete-a-tetes Esther shows continuing interest for charitable
matters. She tells about Paris and Calcutta hospitals. Those calls at
cabins in Calcutta suburb are related with harrowing incidents of the
mothers' poverty. Oswald listens intently, but does not moralize. Esther
looks troubled, and refers to happenings when Oswald first visited
Northfield and Alice Webster was her guest. That quiet listener hears
all, but seems in pensive reverie.

[Illustration: "THIS SAGE REPLY IS HEARD BY THE EAVESDROPPING BESSIE."]

They are sitting in secluded bower within the mansion grounds. Sir
Donald is taking his accustomed afternoon nap. Alice and Charles are out
for a drive. Bessie is just awake, and has come out to survey her vested
belongings. Esther hears the child's happy humming, and looking
appealingly at Oswald, propounds this puzzling interrogatory:

"Under all the circumstances, Mr. Langdon, would you advise a young
girl, with--with such a good home--who has such a kind father and
brother--and--well--you know--like me--to--to--spend her life in
hospitals?"

Quickly looking into that flushed face and those questioning eyes,
Oswald needs no further assurance. Impulsively encircling the
unresisting form, he answers upon those upturned lips. This sage reply
is heard by the eavesdropping Bessie, who, as self-constituted
ceremonial dictator, emerges and joins their hands in the wordless
betrothal.

Soon, slowly leading Esther and carrying that spoiled four-year-old
toward the mansion, Oswald says:

"I will speak to your father." Esther's reply is a happy smile.

Thomas Webster's Calcutta trip had been a complete success. Alice
received a letter from her Uncle Thomas, and expected him to be at
Northfield within six weeks. A double wedding is set for a date soon
after that uncle's Northfield visit. Oswald returns to his father's home
and tells the good news. By Esther's and Sir Donald's special request,
the rector soon accompanies Oswald back to Northfield. In this
hospitable mansion father and son spend much of the time until those
nuptial ceremonies.

Sir Donald receives a letter from Thomas Webster requesting him to be in
London on a certain date. These two allies hold a conference, and upon
the fo