If Guilford Duncan had been a little more worldly wise than he was, he would have gone at once to Captain Will Hallam. He would have told that shrewdest of shrewd men of the world all that had passed between himself and Tandy, and he would have asked Will Hallam's advice as to what course to pursue. Instead of that Guilford Duncan went at once to Barbara. He felt a need of sympathy rather than a need of advice, and he had learned to look to Barbara, above all other people in the world, for sympathy. He was still a good deal disturbed in his emotions when Barbara greeted him in the little porch, and it was a rather confused account that he gave her of what had happened. "I don't quite understand," said Barbara at last. "Perhaps if you have a cup of tea you can make the matter clearer," and without waiting for assent or dissent, she glided out to the kitchen, whence she presently returned bearing a fragrant cup of Oolong. "Now," she said, after he had sipped the tea, "tell me again just what has happened. You were too much excited, when you told me before, to tell me clearly." "Well, it amounts to this," answered Duncan. "That scoundrel Tandy----" "Stop!" said Barbara, in an authoritative tone. "Never mind Tandy's character. If you go off on that you'll never make me understand." In spite of his agitation, Duncan laughed. "How you do order me about!" "Oh, pardon me!" exclaimed the girl in manifest alarm. "I didn't mean to do that. I would never think of doing such a thing. I only meant----" "My dear Miss Barbara, I fully understand. I need ordering about to-night, and I heartily wish you would take me in hand." "Oh, but I could never presume to do that!" "I don't see why," answered Duncan. "You are my good angel, and it is the business of my good angel to regulate me and make me behave as I should." "But, Mr. Duncan----" "But, Barbara"--it was the first time he had ever addressed her by her given name and without the "Miss"--"you know I love you--or you ought to know it. You know I want you to be my wife. Say that you will, and then I shall be free to tell you all my troubles and to take your advice in all of them. Say that you love me, Barbara! Say that you will marry me!"