aced up and down in the Rosemont parlor.

"Mr. March," said Barbara's slow voice. She had entered as she spoke.

"Miss--Miss Garnet!"

"Please be seated." There was a tempest in her heart, but her words were
measured and low. "You were very kind to come." She dragged her short
sentences and at the same time crowded them upon each other as if afraid
to let him speak. He sat, a goodly picture of deferential attention,
starving to see again her old-time gaze; but she kept her eyes on the
floor. "Mr. March, of course--of course, this is terrible to--me. I only
say it because I don't want to seem heartless to--others--when I tell
you I thank God--O please don't speak yet, sir"--her hands trembled--"I
thank God this thing has come to light. For my dear father's own sake I
am glad, gladder than I can tell, that he has lost Rosemont. The loss
may save him. But I'm glad, too, Mr. March, that it's come to
you--please hear me--and to your mother. Of course I know your lost
Widewood isn't all here; but so much of it is. I wish----"

March stopped her with a gesture. "I will not--O I cannot--hear any
more! I'm ashamed to have let you say so much! Rosemont is yours and
shall stay yours! That's what I came to say. Two properties were
exchanged by accident when each was about as near worthless as the
other, and your mother's family and my father's have lived up to the
mistake and have stood by it for three generations. I will not take it!
My mother will not! She renounced it this morning! Do you understand?"

Barbara gave a start of pain and murmured, "I do." Her heart burned with
the knowledge that he was waiting for her uplifted glance. He began
again.

"The true value of Rosemont never came out of Widewood. It's the coined
wealth of your mother's character and yours!" He ceased in a sudden rage
of love as he saw the colors of the rose deepen slowly on the beautiful,
half-averted face, and then, for very trepidation, hurried on. "O
understand me, I will not be robbed! Major Garnet cannot have Rosemont.
But no one shall ever know I have not bought it of him. And it shall
first be yours; yours in law and trade as it is now in right. Then, if
you will, you, who have been its spirit and soul, shall keep it and be
so still. But if you will not, then we, my mother and I, will buy it of
you at a fair price. For, Miss--Miss----"

"Barb--" she murmured.

"O thank you!" cried he. "A thousand times! And a thousand times I
promise you I