warmly, "there is a great deal of
nonsense about families. If a man is noble and brave and strong, if a
woman is beautiful and good and true, what matters it about his or her
ancestry? If an old family can give them these things, then it is
valuable; if they possess them without it, then of what use is it,
except as a source of empty pride, which they would be better without?
If all new families were like yours, there would be no advantage in
belonging to an old one. All I care to know of Rowena's family is that
she is your sister; and you'll pardon me, old fellow, if I add that she
hardly needs even you,--she carries the stamp of her descent upon her
face and in her heart."

"It makes me glad to hear you speak in that way," returned Warwick,
delighted by the young man's breadth and earnestness.

"Oh, I mean every word of it," replied Tryon. "Ancestors, indeed, for
Rowena! I will tell you a family secret, John, to prove how little I
care for ancestors. My maternal great-great-grandfather, a hundred and
fifty years ago, was hanged, drawn, and quartered for stealing cattle
across the Scottish border. How is that for a pedigree? Behold in me
the lineal descendant of a felon!"

Warwick felt much relieved at this avowal. His own statement had not
touched the vital point involved; it had been at the best but a
half-truth; but Tryon's magnanimity would doubtless protect Rena from
any close inquiry concerning her past. It even occurred to Warwick for
a moment that he might safely disclose the secret to Tryon; but an
appreciation of certain facts of history and certain traits of human
nature constrained him to put the momentary thought aside. It was a
great relief, however, to imagine that Tryon might think lightly of
this thing that he need never know.

"Well, Rena," he said to his sister when he went home at noon: "I've
sounded George."

"What did he say?" she asked eagerly.

"I told him we were people of no family, and that we had no relatives
that we were proud of. He said he loved you for yourself, and would
never ask you about your ancestry."

"Oh, I am so glad!" exclaimed Rena joyfully. This report left her very
happy for about three hours, or until she began to analyze carefully
her brother's account of what had been said. Warwick's statement had
not been specific,--he had not told Tryon THE thing. George's reply,
in turn, had been a mere generality. The concrete fact that oppressed
her remained unre